Help Shade get mobile again!

Ever since our son Shade suffered his first stroke eight years ago, he's been fighting to regain mobility. He was close to walking again when, two years ago, two more strokes wiped out all his walking progress and semi-paralyzed his left arm. For the second time, life threw a huge obstacle in his path. But creative inventors have designed devices that can help restore these issues and perhaps give Shade back his mobility.

The first is the MyoPro, a robotic orthosis  that will strap to Shade’s left arm and hand. Sensors on his arm will pick up signals for his muscle movement and translate that to the robotic device. Thus, as his muscles attempt to extend the arm or open the hand, the robotic arm will assist his movement allowing for near normal motion. As he uses it, his muscles will develop, he'll regain muscle memory and eventually, hopefully, his arm will start to react normally even without the robotic orthotic. This device could give him his arm back! And for all its space age brilliance, it's actually quite affordable.

The second is the LifeGlider, an ambulatory assistive device  that may allow Shade to walk again. Where most walker devices throw the body forward and off balance, the Life Glider works with the body's center of gravity so that the user can walk upright without fear of losing his balance. The LifeGlider will get Shade out of the wheelchair more and get him using his legs regularly on a daily basis. With daily use, his legs will strengthen and his balance may come back. We think it's the best choice currently for his eventual full recovery to unassisted walking.

Please help us in spreading the word and help getting Shade mobile again. Below are some videos demonstrating the devices and how they work.