Rewalk is a great tool that can help drastically improve the lives of
those bound to wheelchairs in many ways. The system basically mimics the
motion of walking by attaching a pair of robotic legs to someone’s real
legs. A computer strapped to the back then moves the legs, allowing the
user to “walk.” This seemingly miraculous technology allows paraplegics
and the disabled to regain strength, bone density, and cardiovascular health
simply from the motion of walking. These people have been forced to sit
for so long that this upright mobility can really help get their bodies moving
in ways that just cannot be done from the confinements of a wheelchair.
The ability to be able to actually get up and walk around also greatly boosts
the users’ morale. It gives them more confidence and security and allows
them to make level eye contact, something that we take for granted but is very
uplifting to those who are used to constantly being below everyone around them.
The
Rewalk’s function and structure itself has many positive aspects as well.
For one, it allows the individual to have a wide range of mobility—walking,
turning, sitting, and even climbing stairs. The Rewalk can also be of use
to a wide range of people, being able to fit anyone who weighs up to 220 pounds
and is between 5’3” and 6’3”, making it a very versatile piece of technology.
Although there
are a lot of positive things about the Rewalk, there are negative aspects as
well. One problem is that Rewalk can only
be used in physical therapy.
Additionally, one Rewalk costs around $100,000. Also, a common misconception about the Rewalk
is that it can heal whatever problem the user has by training them to walk
again. This is not true; the purpose of
Rewalk is to regain lower body strength. Although there may be cases reported
where therapy has helped the problem, Rewalk is not designed to do so. Even though Rewalk gives the opportunity to
regain physical strength, the user must also have a level of physical strength
to even use the nearly 50 pound device, which isn’t always realistic for anyone
who has been confined to a wheelchair. Despite its range of mobility, Rewalk is
not designed for everyday life.
Altogether
Rewalk is a versatile technology that gives the user a creative type of therapy
that promotes health and confidence. However, use is limited, its expensive, and
it is not a remedy for whatever problem is faced by the user. Despite all of the current limitations placed
on the Rewalk, the device is pretty cool and there is absolutely no limit on
the innovations that could eventually lead to alternative treatment for paraplegics.
I find this technology really exciting. I have known a few people who have needed to go to physical therapy in order to regain the ability to walk. While this technology is big and bulky, I think it's only the first step. There are many improvement to the technology that I can foresee. As the mechanics are worked out, the weight and cost could considerable go down. There also may be advancement that allow for an adjustable version of this to be used on multiple people. There may even be an advancement that allows for continuous use through out the day outside of therapy. I agree that this version of the technology does have it's draw-backs, yet what could sprout out of this could be ground breaking.
ReplyDeleteI think this technology is very promising in that it presents a lifestyle alternative for people who have lost mobility. The largest downside to this was the cost and the fact that it does not seem to be durable enough for long term or outdoor use. That being said, this technology presents the potential to change the way of life for many people and the outlook that they have on life. Mobility is something often taken for granted but it is a critical part of human development. As Hayden pointed out in class, the English language has even developed phrases which incorporate eye contact and height, which play into a person's outlook (looking down on someone, etc.). I believe that Rosen would find a dependency issue with this device (if improved to where daily use was possible) as independent-dwelling people with limited mobility would become very dependent on the device for daily activity.
ReplyDeleteThe cons of Rewalk remind me a lot of the cons of Argus II. There are obviously still numerous aspects of both technologies that need work, such as the cost, the mechanics, and the accessibility. However, I think it is important to remember with technologies aimed at improving quality of life that it's not always all about the technical aspects of the technology. There is a new hope that comes with restoring something that is lost. So even though these technologies might be costly and still in the stages of development, you have to look at the bigger picture. These technologies are incredible in that they offer a step towards regaining a human ability, which most of us take for granted daily. However, for some these technologies offer a brand new perspective on life.
ReplyDeleteI think it hard for us to put a price on abilities like walking or seeing--as hayley mentioned. Hope is something that seems easy to obtain when we have it and seems miles away when we don't. If this technology can give people hope and a worth in life, then it is a cool technology. The Rewalk encourages hope to those who need it most.
ReplyDelete"A study of 9135 persons injured between 1973 and 1984 and treated at any of 13 model regional spinal cord injury (SCI) care systems was conducted. Follow-up ended December 31, 1985, by which time 50 persons had committed suicide (6.3% of deaths). Based on age-sex-race-specific rates for the general population, 10.2 suicides were expected to occur. Therefore, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for suicide was 4.9. The highest SMR occurred 1 to 5 years after injury. The SMR was also elevated for the first post-injury year, but was not significantly elevated after the fifth year. The SMR was significantly elevated for all neurological groups, but was highest for persons with complete paraplegia. The SMR was highest for persons aged 25 to 54 years, but was also elevated for persons aged less than 25 years. Suicide was the leading cause of death for persons with complete paraplegia and the second leading cause of death for persons with incomplete paraplegia. The most common means of committing suicide was by gunshot. These figures demonstrate the need for increased staff, patient and family awareness of this problem, and improved follow-up assessment and psychosocial support programmes."
Although this study does not necessarily prove that the Rewalk would give these people hope, it is a step in the right direction. Carr stresses in The Shallows that there is a crucial link between memory and reading. I believe the Rewalk similarly provides a link between memory and walking that is irreplaceable because they are memories that give hope.
I too, find this technology exciting. As Hayley mentioned, when we think about the "cons" of a device designed to help the disabled, the dependability issue seems to fade away. I think the reason is that there is not a strong body for them to depend on anymore. In "The Shallows" Nicholas Carr breaks down our technologies into four categories (44): those which extend our physical strength, those that extend the range or sensitivity of our sense, those that enable us to reshape nature, and those that extend or support our mental powers. The Rewalk, of course is under the "physical strength" category even though it is artificial walking. And I think one thing to point out here is that its "extending" relative to where the person is. So by extending the capabilities of someone who can't walk, we're simply bringing them back to what is considered a common capability. I think the issue of dependency is only relevant when dealing with things that are extending us from our basic capabilities. In those cases then, we can explore the options of using technology constantly, in moderation, or not at all.
ReplyDelete