Paralyzed veteran walks with help of exoskeleton

OKLAHOMA CITY (STORYFUL) - A paralyzed veteran was able to walk again with the aid of an exoskeleton, the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Health Care System said in a Facebook post on July 19.

Army Veteran Johnnie Williams III suffered a spinal cord injury while he was deployed to Iraq 16 years previous, leaving him paralyzed. The veteran remained active after the injury, competing in sporting events, including the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, local media reported.

Veterans Affairs (VA) previously shared footage of Williams when he began his training to use Indego, a powered exoskeleton worn around the waist and legs that allows people with spinal cord injuries to walk.

The VA Health Care System shared new footage on July 19 of Williams walking with an exoskeleton.

"His wife Brandy has been by his side for support and cheering him on as he continues to complete all his goals to gain more independence for himself and his family," the post said. "Veteran Williams passed his training and was approved to take the robotic devise home! [sic]"

(Credit: Oklahoma City VA Health Care System via Storyful)