Exoskeleton Advances for Paralyzed Vets Roundtable with Linda Kreter
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Welcome to Wise Health for Women Radio with Linda Prater. Women are pressed daily to give more, learn more, and be more, often at the expense of mind, body, or spirit. Each week with intriguing guests and topics, we'll bring you fresh ways to view your limited time, encouraging a shift to new, healthier perspectives. Wise Health for Women Radio, helping women thrive. And now here's your host, Linda Prater.

Good morning and welcome to YSAL for Women Radio. I'm Linda Crater and we have a really fascinating show for you today. I have long heard, and I imagine you have as well, about these exoskeletons that are used often in the military to help paralyze soldiers and others to

to be mobile, to stand upright, to actually have a life that's more vertical than what is normally needed in a wheelchair capacity kind of thing. So we are going to talk today to three really interesting people. First of all, there's a program called Soldier Strong that is working with providing these exoskeletons to veterans who are paralyzed and

And we have the founder and chairman, co-founder and chairman of Soldier Strong, who will talk about the history of that and how they came to do this. We have Rachel Anderson on, who's the global director of marketing and strategic growth for Exobionics, as you can imagine by the name. She's on the technical side of how this all works.

And we have Laura Cowan, who is a paralyzed veteran who uses her exoskeleton for mobility. And I think we will hear exactly why having this capability is so beneficial to both physical health and mental health for our paralyzed veterans. And I am so delighted to welcome you all to the program today.

Thanks very much for having us. It's a pleasure. It really is. This is such an interesting thing. And I think we've all heard stories. By the way, our producer, Ben, is a Marine. So he was waiting for this show too. So Ben's in the background, but he's there. And so we will talk about this because when you come back with an injury or you are serving and you have an injury and become a medically discharged veteran,

there has to date been mostly care, but not in terms of mobility. We've heard about the, um,

the Independence Fund chairs, the AllTrack chairs. That's a nice innovation that works, but it doesn't take the place of allowing you to move on your own capabilities. So, Chris, can you bring us up to date on how this all started? Who can benefit from it? Who's eligible and where is the program now? And then we'll talk to Rachel about how it works. And then I want to hear Laura's story.

Sure. Just a quick background on the organization. We started out shipping care packages to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I received a letter from Marines simply asking for tube socks and baby wipes.

And over the next several years, we sent about 75,000 pounds of stuff overseas. In 2012, the wars were winding down, the troops were coming home, and there wasn't a need for the supplies anymore, thankfully. So we created some scholarship funds to help veterans supplement the post-9/11 GI Bill. And to help us make that transition, we came up with a mission statement of helping service members take their next steps forward. And the idea there was steps in the battlefield with tube socks, and now steps in job training and education.

A few months later, I came across an article in a magazine on exobionics and thought how great would it be to help paralyzed veterans take literal next steps forward. And so through what I call the modern miracle of social media, I reached out to the then CEO as I was out there in business and went out to meet with them and was absolutely fascinated with technology and committed to funding 10 devices that day. I think it must seem miraculous that

I mean Rachel this exists because somebody had the foresight and the technical knowledge to make it possible. Can you speak to how this was developed?

Yes, certainly. So exobionics actually started way back. It was before we were even a company at Berkeley, UC Berkeley in California. And they received a DARPA grant from the government to create some kind of exoskeleton that would actually help U.S. soldiers. So we started also kind of looking at how can we support veterans?

But back then, it was more focused on like load carriage. So basically, how can we help provide some support to the, you know, veterans or sorry, the different soldiers that are out there carrying heavy loads while on duty. And so in 2009, we created the Hulk prototype.

So that's how we really got started. But in the beginning, we were looking at improving human movement, improving health and safety, but in a variety of different applications, military, industrial, and health. And over time, as we evolved, we narrowed our focus into the health rehab space. So we kind of, since 2012, when our first medical rehabilitation exoskeleton launched,

We've continued to improve the technology, listening to the end user who's walking in our devices, listening to the physical therapists who are using our devices and made the exoskeletons better.

And just early or the end of last year, December of 2022, we acquired the Indigo products, which that's kind of what Chris has been focused on with Soldier Strong, donating the personal exoskeletons to veterans primarily. It's absolutely fascinating. May I ask how it works? Sure.

Absolutely. So the technology, it's hardware and software. So essentially the hardware kind of wraps around the individual. They can use their own shoes, but it wraps kind of around their legs and their torso providing support. And it has motors at the hips and the knees. Hmm.

So it's providing as much support as the individual needs to be able to take as many steps as they can. And it's also uses sensors in the device to sense where the patient or the individual is in space.

so that it knows if they're falling backwards, it knows if they're too far forward, and it will essentially work with them to successfully make them mobile and allow them to walk in the community. It's incredible. I mean, we probably all remember the television show, what was it, The Bionic Man. Laura, you have become the bionic woman. Can you talk about your story? Sure.

Sure. So I was in the Navy and I had a motorcycle accident which caused the paralysis. And that was in 2002. So now I'm quite a few years past injury. But in 2018, I, through the VA, they offered a

you know, this, this, you know, technology and device. I said, sure, I'll try that. It looks, you know, just as you said, very bionic, but I said, well, why would I not? Um, I'm a, I'm a volunteer person at heart. I'm like, yeah, I'll do that. I say yes to a lot of things. Um, that was definitely one that was super positive. And I, um, I went on to, to,

to put that on and the day one stood up and thought it, you know, being in a wheelchair for so long, standing up is quite a bit different. Um, his feeling and it was exhilarating. So I do have to say, I can't even imagine. Did you even have words to describe what standing up for the first time felt like? Of course not. No, it was, you know, I mean, you know, so, um,

I mean, in the atmosphere that it was in, we have things that do facilitate standing up, but it's not with a walker. It's in a frame that's stationary, that doesn't move. So...

you know, like, so I was just, yeah, no, no words could describe. They just kept on asking, are you feeling okay? I'm like, yeah, they're like, they, they didn't want me to pass out. Nobody wanted that, but there was quite the emotion too. And of course you're in a, you know, a room where, you know, that's pretty amazing. So yeah, it was, it was slightly emotional a little bit. I, you know, but I was, this is great automatically. I knew that, you know, this was,

So awesome. Well, it is. I do know what you're talking about where you have those razor that lift you vertical, say you're seated at a table and you can stand. But this is so much further. Chris, as you started to work with Rachel and the group and Soldier Strong, how I'm sure you see the enormous potential of where this could go.

And yet big ships like VA don't move quickly. Was that understated enough for you? - A little bit, thank you. - Oh, sure. And so these steps that you're taking with these ones that you've donated and as you go forward,

Are there ongoing studies? Because I know everything has to be evidence-based and all of that, which takes time. But it sure means to me, I've been working with veterans in this space and their caregivers for 14 years now. My family's all military, but my background is clinical. So I'm fascinated by the fact that it helps not only the physicality, like they were telling you, they didn't want you to faint physically,

but it must have just given a boost mentally as well. So it does both physical and mental health improvements, correct, Chris?

Absolutely. And it's, you know, I'm glad you brought that up. About five or six years ago, we gave a device to the Denver VA. And we were out for the donation ceremony and the chief spinal cord doctor there said, Chris, in addition to using this for physical therapy, we're also going to use the device for a mental health study. And I scratched my head and said, well, mental health study and what? And she said, quite simply, for somebody to stand up and be eye level of the world again. Yes. And, you know, my camera's off, but I'm six foot three. So I take that for granted.

And that really just blew my mind in terms of the additional positive results you can see from this. Well, a lot of the times after injury, and Laura, I'm sure you relate to this, you have to adjust mentally and emotionally to your new limitations. But military veterans in active duty are really people without a lot of limitations. So we're talking about restricting some of the most vibrant people, fit people in the world. And so...

Being able to be mobile and get around, especially on your own recognizance, how the heck do you – you must have a waiting list a mile long, Rachel. Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, we have people reaching out to us on our website and on social media every single day. I mean, we have so many people that are interested in this technology as they learn about it. And it's still so early. A lot of people don't know that there is a exoskeleton that they could potentially use in the home and community.

So it's just astounding the amount of people that we could help. We just have to continue to get our name out there. Well, and funding and a way to distribute and to find the results of these studies and things because that helps. VA makes partnerships with those who can do things. And it's clearly important.

a need in the community. And there are organizations devoted to this. I've done several shows with those who are paralyzed or spinal cord injuries, either partial or full. And everyone talks about how you start to feel a sense of routine again. I don't use the word normal because that's a setting on a washer, but feeling like you're the way you were before.

Laura, what's the biggest change in your life? Well, something sort of like that. I want to say it got me through the pandemic. I would use that walking around the house. I mean, I still to this day.

Um, it's a very freeing form of exercise and as well as mental health, it's, um, physical health as well. Like I find it rewarding in those sense, like to have it in daily use, if I would, you know, like to, so, um, I, I'm really, you know, like comfortable with it. Um,

now. And, and that's, that's how I use it. It's, it's a main form of exercise as well as, you know, like, I don't know, like it just gets me through. Well, it gives you mobility and independence. And I would think that that really is helpful. Are you able to utilize this on your own or do you have a caregiver help you get into it? How does this work?

So I'm able to put the device on and but for

They call it a support person. My support person is my husband, just to make sure it's like a more of a safety thing. So I do need somebody with me at the time. So yes, I guess you can call it a caregiver. But as far as that type of use, they're like more there to as a kind of a safety. So you don't fall. Yeah.

Right. Right. But the way the device works, I've never had issue with that. I guess potentially it could happen, but the confidence of me in that, but just to make sure, you know, there isn't something that would go on. That's, you know, the person, you know, kind of is near. No, no, no. It's amazing. And Rachel, coming back to you with the initial use of,

For load carriage, that makes total sense because a lot of spines are damaged just with carrying heavy rucks and packs and the whole combat thing. And then plans change and you're carrying more than you went in with. So that must have been very helpful for then going on to the rehab phase.

space, correct? Because you learned a lot from that. Yeah, absolutely. And the prototype that ExoBionics created back in 2009 was licensed to Lockheed Martin. So they took that and ran with it. And we kind of focused more on how can we help individuals who have a spinal cord injury be able to rehabilitate if they have the ability to regain whatever function or even just improve bowel and bladder, improve

You know, being able to be upright for longer periods of time, maintain their muscle mass, all of those things are so important. And being able to carry a load, at least your body weight, the bone density component is such a big deal. So that is definitely something that kind of worked perfectly into the transition for our rehab device.

It makes total sense. And Chris, coming back to the studies that are going on, I think one of the things that has been very obvious as the years go on with our veterans who were either combat injured or injured after service or during service, as Laura was, is that you really need holistic health. And allopathic medicine can help you in some ways, but this isn't your strict prescription.

allopathic medicine. This is going well beyond that into providing help that didn't exist 20 years ago. I totally agree. And it's become, I'll call it my life's work in serving those who served us. And one of my biggest fears right now and potential challenges is that the further away we get from the global war on terror, the more people are going to forget about those who served.

You know, the 20th anniversary of 9/11 came and went with a blink and there wasn't much to do about it. And now we're two years past that. And so all of a sudden it'll be the 25th anniversary before you know it. And so, you know, yes, we've got the holidays, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, et cetera. But those men and women who served and were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice need to be remembered and we need to serve them. We are in agreement. I mean, I run something called Veteran Caregiver. So I work with those who are in the caregiver program at the VA.

that do support veterans who require care. They cannot meet the activities of daily living on their own. And so there are groups and organizations that are there to help, but it's difficult to scale.

And so as you're donating some of these, and obviously we need more funding, and I want to make sure everyone knows where to go to find out more information, and that would be soldierstrong.org.

Clearly, there are things you can give to that help make you feel good. This is an organization that actually will make a difference in people's lives on a day-to-day basis. I know all too well the mental health needs of those who are

just feeling lost. What's the term? They went from hero to zero because the VA is a giant ship. And so when you can't get in to be seen or if you have other things that need to be done, you need to raise your hand. But that's not easy for some people. This is a very self-reliant group. And what you're doing with these exoskeletons is allowing people like Laura to be independent. Who wants to take that?

Well, I absolutely agree. And I think your point about, you know, the VA being just a big giant ship and helping those who might need help and sometimes are afraid to raise their hand. You know, unfortunately, there are between 17 and 20 veteran suicides every single day. Yep. And yes, the number is going in the right direction, but it should be zero. And so if we can play a small part in giving back to them to give them part of their their sense of belonging and a sense of pride, then that's the least we could do.

I also think there's a social aspect to all of this. If you're able to move around, et cetera, I would imagine that it's a curiosity. People are fascinated by this. We've read about these things for a long time, but they were fictional. But now they're here. And so I find that, first of all, I'm really impressed, Rachel, with what exobionics can do. And this Indigo program that you mentioned as well, it is astounding.

And so the quality of life is obviously so important, but it also helps somebody be able to go back to work potentially, correct? I think that the ability to pick up and to be more mobile and be more independent can open up so much.

you know, it could, it could definitely help them get back to work. It can help them work on bone density and, and maintaining endurance, which is a big component. So I think, you know, there's still limitations on full independence, but I think that that's the direction we're going. That's a big reason we made this acquisition of the personal devices so that we can,

continue to improve the technology, improve the software, and ideally get to a place where, you know, exoskeletons, people wearing them, that's just something that you see, you know, on a day-to-day basis. People in the grocery store, walking through the park, you know, maybe even on the job wearing this. And I think that that is the ultimate goal.

I think it's a great goal because, let's face it, one of the things that we found out through this war, and as you mentioned, Chris, things are being forgotten, there are a lot of injuries that are invisible. And it's been a struggle to find help for those with TBI or complex PTSD because it doesn't show necessarily, but this is visual.

And I think will help its cause because if someone sees this and sees the potential behind it, visual injuries have always had a history of being able to be helped in a greater number than the invisible injuries. You know, how can we help you, Chris? Well, like you said before, soldierstrong.org. Okay. You know, these devices cost about $125,000 each.

As with any new technology, they are expensive. Over time, hopefully the cost goes down. You think about the first cell phone, how big it was and how expensive it was. And now you've got your Dick Tracy watch on your wrist for a couple hundred bucks. One thing we pride ourselves on is over 85% of funds raised go to our programs, with the ExoSpelton being our signature program. And we've just been fortunate and honored to partner with ExoBionics for over a decade now.

That's terrific. Now, working with the VA, where is it available and who is eligible for it?

The devices we donate go to the spinal cord injury unit within the VA medical system. Some will go to a stroke unit. It depends on the facility's need. Again, on our website, there's actually a map that shows where all of our donations are. We've got 30 exoskeletons throughout the U.S., and it will tell you that specific VA, whether it's the spinal cord injury unit or the stroke and rehab unit.

Okay, so is that information on your website, not necessarily the VA website? Correct. Again, soldierstrong.org. And if you go to your donations at work, you'll see a big Google map with a little picture of either an ExoBionics device or an Indigo device. I'm sure you've already done this, but have you already been in touch with Paralyzed Vets of America? I have. Yeah. I may have some contacts for you on PVA. The...

It's mostly getting the word out. I think the hardest part for people is that they've known this fictionalized, but it's actually real. And so it's more than just funding. It's also the awareness of the benefits of the program and how it will really help

We don't want people forgotten. We don't. They went and fought for us and we need to fight for them. So I'm with you on all of this. So how do you see this going forward? You know, I've been trying to put our organization out of business for several years now.

To your point about PVA or VA, you know, the VA budget is $300 billion with a B. I know. I've done some cocktail napkin math, and I figure somewhere around the $30 to $35 million mark could take care of all of this. I've written proposals to the VA, to the federal government. Are you on the Hill?

I have been several times. We have Soldier Strong Access, which is our advocacy arm. We've talked to several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, most of them veterans. So they're like, yes, give me legislation. And my first response was, well, I'm not a lawmaker. I don't know how to write legislation. But I'm actually working with some folks in D.C. to do that.

Good, because unfortunately, all roads point back to D.C. They just do. And so it's a good way to do it. It just takes time.

So I hope with the help of our listeners, we are able to speed up that time to give you more opportunities for grants and things. There are also several advisory committees, and I believe there's one on paralyzed vets. Those are the kinds of things that help to spread the word internally as well, because it's a really big place. And while

Military veterans is a huge space. There's a lot of things competing for attention. And so to stand out is not easy. Rachel, I would love to give you the last word on technology and then we'll finish up with Laura.

Sure. First of all, thank you so much for allowing us to be here today and just educate more people on what this incredible technology can do. It's truly life-changing. And I wanted to also make one note that now we have...

Of course, we work with Soldier Strong and Chris on getting the VAs these pieces of technology so that as many people as possible within the rehab setting can use the device. But the VA also now has a program where individual veterans who qualify, like Laura, can get their own device for home and personal use. And what department is that through?

So that is basically through the VA itself. So the VA medical center locally. Correct. Yeah. So when they would, you know, if they're interested in a piece of technology for personal use, they would just work within their VA. Um, the hub and spoke system depends kind of where you are in the country, how it all proceeds, but there is a program that if they qualify, they can, um,

get the, you know, the VA will actually purchase a device for them. Well, that makes sense. And they do offer a number of adaptations for much lesser things. So I'm sure it's in a different department at each VA medical center, but certainly something to search out if you are listening and this is of interest to you personally, because the only way you know is to ask. So keep pushing it.

Laura, as the recipient and obviously the poster child for our program today on the use of this exoskeleton, there is such power in being a pioneer.

And I imagine you've also benefited from the additional improvements that have come along since you first did this. In 2018, have things really changed or are you talking with them about possible improvements? I mean, how does this work between the veteran and the technology and what would benefit each individual or is it more on a group basis?

I would say that the benefit is it's really something great. And yes, there are some things to

used to make like improved step mechanics. And I've worked on that. And that's like what Rachel had mentioned about the software, like the computerized thing. So I can move a little bit smoother and it's more supportive as far as like, like she said, to carry my weight. And

I always look to the future of once you have something, improvements to make it maybe a little more streamlined, not so much lighter as like you can look at it and you would say a lot of questions are, is it heavy?

And the answer is no, because it's supporting my weight. So I don't feel it when I'm standing. I'm standing and actually like to describe it. It's, you know, wonderful, beautiful, because I am standing up and and to hold hold my weight. I'm like, oh, OK, OK.

As far as I, I, I wonder, you know, for the future of like, like Rachel mentioned, like going to the grocery store and me getting out. And I, I really thank you for saying, you know, like,

we need to see more of these I'm a little shy so when I put that on like you said it's a head turning thing so me saying I'm going to go to the grocery store or the mall that might be like a little more attention that I could handle because people would be like wow what are you doing what are you using you know and we need more of that and it's just you know like that would that that

that to me would be like a different adventure. It's almost exhilarating to be in it anyway. And then that would propel you into something else. I just recently did an abilities expo and where we had people asking about the device. And I, you know, kind of, it was like a little bit of a modeling, you know, and display. And I'm just hopeful that the future has, you know,

like the conditions that you mentioned that it would be helpful for too so um you know and then uh part of me says i'm glad they started with spinal cord injury that's great

A little selfishness there. Sorry. But now I stand and walk, and the potential for more functionality is so encouraging. It's encouraging for the future. I really enjoy using the device. Well, I doubt seriously that you're that terribly shy because you have done a wonderful thing, and now you realize –

You can really help with the visibility. And Chris, we'll finish with you. I want to thank you for the service that you have been providing for these groups. And we will push this far and wide because...

Real change comes when enough people pick up an idea and they run with it and they make it happen. And let's see what we can do about finding someone to champion you in the VA on this program as well. Do you like to add anything else?

I think you said it all for us, which I appreciate. Yeah, again, it's just raising awareness, getting to the right folks on the Hill, as you mentioned. And so there's strength in numbers. So with your audience, you know, we can take the Hill, so to speak.

I like it. I like it a lot. Again, you go to soldierstrong.org to find out more information. Chris, Rachel, and Laura, thank you so much for coming on today. And Ben, our producer, and I thank you very much for sharing this because technology has such amazing usage. And to use it in this population, I have to be frank, it gives me goosebumps.

So thank you so much for giving of your time today, your wisdom and your participation. Appreciate it very much. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome. You're welcome. To our listeners, make it a great week. We'll be back next time with another interesting episode for you. Thank you for tuning in today. You can find more shows at wisehealthforwomenradio.com.