More Than Walking…

“Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in earth.” Psalms 46:10

On November 30, 2020, I was rushed to the emergency room after my legs suddenly collapsed from under me while getting ready for work.  After many days of tests, and still not being able to move my legs, I was diagnosed with a spinal cord inflammation disorder called Transverse Myelitis which stemmed from my body attacking itself to fight off the COVID-19 virus — I did not even know I had COVID-19 and showed zero symptoms! How was this possible!?

My body’s reaction to COVID-19 and the resulting paralysis was considered a rarity, four out of one-million to be exact.  I was absolutely devastated.  I had been very active in the days, months, and years leading up to my injury — loved riding my bike, taking walks with my husband Alan, mowing the lawn and playing with my grandchildren.  But now, I was being told I would never be able to walk again and would have to spend the rest of my life using a wheelchair. 

Then more than a year later in December 2021, God presented me an amazing opportunity — an opportunity to walk again using the Indego exoskeleton at a mobile rehabilitation clinic called Next Level Rehab.  Since December 2021, I have used the exoskeleton at Next Level Rehab one day per week, and have walked over 45,000 steps. The health benefits of being upright and walking again are numerous, but most importantly, the nerve pain from my spinal cord injury completely goes away when I am walking with the Indego exoskeleton — I feel alive again! 

I have partnered with a 501c3 non-profit organization called, I GOT LEGS, to assist me with raising funds for my own Indego exoskeleton. My goal is to be able to walk with it every day, but this Indego exoskeleton should be available to others afflicted with paralysis, so I want to be able to use my exoskeleton to help others acquire their own set of LEGS — God has given us hope with the Indego exoskeleton! 

Thank you for your support! 

“Standing on the promises of Christ my King…”

     - Debbie O’Neal Wagoner