Vicky Garrison: embracing life with exoskeleton technology at the Minneapolis VA
"I don't use the word life-changing very often, but this device has opened up areas in my life that were completely closed. I can walk again, I can hug my loved one’s heart-to-heart, and it really has enhanced my day-to-day life."
In January 2024, Vicky Garrison, President of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Minnesota chapter, made history as the first female Veteran to receive an exoskeleton at the Minneapolis VA, marking an historic moment in her spinal cord injury recovery and treatment. An exoskeleton literally means “outside skeleton.” It is exterior mechanism that supports the body giving some people who use a wheelchair the ability to walk.
Vicky's journey with the exoskeleton began in September 2023 when she took her first steps with the device, and by December of the same year, she had brought the groundbreaking technology home for regular use and training. The availability of such cutting-edge technology serves as a testament to the Minneapolis VA’s commitment to Veterans’ recovery and treatment of spinal cord injuries.
Vicky's ability to walk again was not merely happenstance, but the result of her unwavering determination, coupled with intense training with specialists at the Minneapolis VA's Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder Center (SCI-D). With a long history at the forefront of spinal cord injury treatment, the Minneapolis VA has rigorously tested hundreds of potential candidates for exoskeleton training, with only four Veterans, including Vicky, finally receiving the transformative device.
“We must consider if the benefits outweigh the risks, it’s not common to progress to the trial phase of exoskeleton use,” said Physical Therapist Charlotte Brenteson.
In this case, the exoskeleton has proven to be life-changing for Vicky as the technology has not only restored mobility but has also returned her ability to engage in intimate, physical connections with loved ones.
"I don't use the word life-changing very often, but this device has opened up areas in my life that were completely closed. I can walk again, I can hug my loved one’s heart-to-heart, and it really has enhanced my day-to-day life," she said.
Vicky acknowledges the integral role of the specialists and therapists at the Minneapolis VA, stating, "I feel like they're so in tune to what I need as a spinal cord injury patient, it's just phenomenal to be treated here." The dedication and skill of the staff at the SCI-D Center have been instrumental in Vicky's rehabilitation and the utilization of cutting-edge treatments like the exoskeleton.
Encouraging others facing similar challenges, Vicky champions adaptive technologies, saying, "I encourage everybody out there, go find something that may or may not be an exo, it may be a different chair, it may be a piece of adaptive equipment that just helps you in your day-to-day life."
Her story serves as an inspiration, showcasing the transformative impact of innovative technologies and the compassionate care provided by the Minneapolis VA in enhancing the lives of Veterans with spinal cord injuries.