What follows is an amazing story.
Her name is Claire Lumas. Early 20s. Lovely. Long flowing blond hair. Lives in England. A professional horse rider. Competed in horse shows.
In a horse riding event five years ago, Claire was involved in a freak accident. She and her horse came in contact with a tree. Claire suffered multiple fractures. Several to her back. She was paralyzed from her chest down. A paraplegic. Never to walk again.
Claire spent five years in a wheel chair. Till January of this year. When she started walking again.
Modern science and medicine made it possible. Plus Claire's mental determination, of course.
Claire got robotic legs. A bionic suit had been designed with people like Claire in mind. Long pants. From the chest down to the ankles. Bulky. Thick. Reminds me of snow pants of old, but significantly larger.
The suit senses when Claire wants to walk. Shifts her weight to make her legs move in a walking fashion. Makes a discernible hissing sound with each step.
In her first attempt at bionic walking, Claire did 30 steps. Three weeks later, she was walking like crazy. Then last month she did the impossible. She ran the London Marathon. All 26.2 miles of it.
It took Claire 16 days to complete the 26.2 miles. But she did it!
You say WOW! I say WOW! Claire is a person of courage. One who faced the odds and would not give up.
Claire has tried to live life since her unfortunate accident. Three years ago, she got married. Then she got pregnant. Delivered a healthy baby girl who is now 15 months old.
The robotic legs cost $75,000. Her horse friends and other groups helped Claire raise the money. She is the first woman in England to walk using the bionic approach.
Claire is a winner! An example to the rest of the world. Never give up. Never say something cannot be done. Never say never.
Go Claire!
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