Adam Fritz hadn’t walked since he was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident over nine years ago at the age of 21.
But thanks to researchers at the University of California Irvine, things are changing for Fritz.
Zoran Nenadic, an associate professor in biomedical engineering at the University of California Irvine, led a team that gathered up "an elaborate combination of virtual reality, computer algorithms and a whole lot of ingenuity," according to Time.
While Fritz's neural connection to his legs was severed, the region in his brain responsible for the walking command was not, Time notes. Nenadic's team found a way to bypass the damaged spinal region and send the command directly to his muscles.
While in theory it's as simple as thinking about walking, the reality wasn't quite so easy. Fritz had to practice with virtual reality before actually walking. His excellent health played a factor in his successful case study trial as well, according to Time.
Still, it's significant progress from where he was nearly a decade ago.
“Life doesn’t end when you’re paralyzed,” Fritz said. “It keeps going, and I wanted to be an active participant in that life.”
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