On November 30, 2020, as I was getting ready for work, my legs suddenly collapsed. Within 8 minutes I was paralyzed from the waist down! After many tests, I was diagnosed with a spinal cord inflammation disorder called Transverse Myelitis which stemmed from my own body attacking itself to fight off the COVID-19 virus which I didn’t even know I had and showed zero symptoms!!

I was considered a rarity; 4 out of one-million they said. I had always been very active. I loved to walk, ride my bike with my husband, mow the lawn, garden, play with my grandchildren, FSD, and now I’m told I’ll never walk again.

I worked hard at PT twice a week for 10 months only to be told they had brought me as far as they could. But God! I was given information by a person who saw an ad on FB about a different type of rehabilitation: Robert and Haley McCloskey of Next Level Rehab; a mobile rehabilitation clinic using the Indego exoskeleton. I was being given an opportunity to walk again. Since December, 2021 I have used the Indego exoskeleton one day per week with Next Level Rehab and have walked over 68,972 steps! I am starting to have PT 2x a week starting this week! The health benefits of being upright are numerous, but more importantly, all my nerve pain completely goes away when I am walking. It makes me feel alive. At this time I usually walk one mile at PT each week. My legs are getting stronger and my neurologist is very impressed and contributes it all to the exo. He’s amazed when he watches one of my videos.

My goal is to obtain my own suit and to walk every day. Just as important I want to bring awareness to others that are afflicted with paralysis. I want to use my exoskeleton to help others do PT and possibly acquire their own set of legs. God has given us hope with the Indego exoskeleton. I had never heard of such a thing before and I have been told that most paraplegics sit in their chairs depressed. This is very sad to me and I want to demonstrate my suit at rehabs etc!! How exciting.

I am raising funds towards a refurbished suit ($59,900) that has a 2 year warranty. At this time, I have raised $9,791 with the help of Adam Gorlitsky and his 501c3, I GOT LEGS. Adam is also paralyzed and uses his own exoskeleton suit in Marathons none the less!

Walking is medicine, no doubt about it.

Thank you for taking the time to read “my story”, and thank you for your support.

Debbie Wagoner

Standing on the promises of Christ my King …..