Jun 16 2014
As FIFA kicks off its opening ceremonies with a mind-controlled exoskeleton, SoldierSocks, a non-profit foundation focused on helping veterans, announced today that VA Palo Alto Health Care System will be receiving its own exoskeleton to launch a new era of rehabilitation. The health care system is the third recipient of an Ekso Bionics™ suit.
The Ekso GT™ was donated in full by wireless visionary Steven Sherman, as part of his goal to help one million people, including injured veterans, walk again. VA Palo Alto serves more than 500 paralyzed veterans in the west coast region and will accept the suit in a donation ceremony on June 13, 2014 at 10:00 am with a special appearance from veteran Aaron Mcmihelk who will walk in an Ekso device.
"We are honored to be one of the first VAs to receive a bionic suit as it adds a new approach to caring for our veterans," said Tony Fitzgerald, deputy director of VA Palo Alto Health Care System. "We are optimistic this technology will assist veterans to reach a higher level of rehabilitation and independence." The SoldierSocks Foundation, run by long time military supporter Chris Meek, has evolved from sending socks and baby wipes to soldiers on the frontline to helping veterans take their next steps back at home. SoldierSocks announced in December that, through grants and fundraising, it would donate 10 Ekso suits to VA hospitals by the end of 2014. Public response has been overwhelming and nationwide donations supporting this initiative are part of what makes SoldierSocks' third (second VA) donation possible. "Every day, members of the military put their lives on the line to help protect our country," says SoldierSocks co-founder Chris Meek. "When they return home, they are faced with the challenges of re-acclimating to civilian life. Additionally, some have been critically wounded or paralyzed in the line of duty. We are honored to help our veterans take their next steps on American soil using Ekso Bionics technology."
For more information on how to support SoldierSocks please visit www.soldiersocks.com
About SoldierSocks
SoldierSocks was founded in 2009 to provide basic necessities such as baby wipes, socks and sunscreen to American soldiers fighting for our country in the trenches of Afghanistan and Iraq. As more of our soldiers return home to the U.S., SoldierSocks continues to assist our nation's heroes in re-acclimating to civilian life by offering scholarships for colleges and trade schools and offering paralyzed soldiers an opportunity to gain mobility outside of a wheelchair.
To support SoldierSocks.com in their efforts to provide services to veterans across the United States, please visit our website at www.SoldierSocks.com.
About the VA Palo Alto Health Care System
The VA Palo Alto Health Care System consists of three inpatient facilities located at Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Livermore, Calif. Also, there are seven outpatient clinics in San Jose, Capitola, Monterey, Stockton, Modesto, Sonora and Fremont, Calif. These nationally-recognized facilities provide award-winning medical care and cutting-edge technology. Along with its education affiliate at the Stanford University School of Medicine, the more than 6,200 staff and volunteers operate nearly 900 beds, including three nursing homes and a 100-bed homeless domiciliary, showing its more than 85,000 enrolled Veterans that they are "Serving Those Who Served."