The Exoskeleton by Nathan Kirwan

On the third of June 2013, Nathan Kirwan woke up to find himself without the use of over 80% of his body. A spinal cord injury was the cause of the paralysis of motor neurons and the loss of sensation Nathan was experiencing.

The young Cork man described by his sister as “one of the most active, energetic, adventurous people she knows” was determined to remain just as that. He started training in Corks Elite Gym with trainer Colin O’Shaughnessy. The work that goes on in Elite Gym in Cork with Nathan and Colin is a true inspiration.

There are absolutely no barriers to training in this highly motivational and inclusive place.

Nathan and a team of people with a physical disability walked 55,000 steps in a high-tech exoskeleton less than two years safter his life altering injury.

He did so by fundraising €150,000 to help other wheelchair users like himself to remain as active as possible. Through the support of Helpful Steps, Cork many paraylsised people including Nathan walk a number of times every week in the comfort of a non clinical environment at Elite Gym . “Alot of hard work is going into keeping this amazing work going to help as many people as we can” Nathan remarks. “The world needs far more places like this!”