Paralyzed woman uses robotic exoskeleton to walk for 1st time in 11 years

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Thousands came out for the 10th annual Turkey Trot in San Jose and one young woman brought a smile to many at the race.

For many people in San Jose, the race is a Thanksgiving Day tradition. Some came to run a personal best, while others hoped to just finish the race. Twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Anderson of Salt Lake City was one of them.

Nearly 11 years ago, Anderson was in an accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down.

"I always wanted to walk again, but there's always that part of me that goes, that might not happen, so just being upright, being able to look people in the eyes, giving my sister a hug for the first time standing up," Anderson said.

Anderson is standing up because of a new device called ReWalk, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration earlier this summer.

It's a wearable robotic exoskeleton that works through user intent.

"The user presses a button to activate the system, and then the user just shifts their weight a little bit and it starts taking steps, and when the user wants to stop, the user stops," Phil Astrachan of ReWalk Robotics said. "When they want to sit, it's totally controlled by the patient."

Anderson was brought out to San Jose to serve as a ReWalk ambassador. She's been able to use the device while in physical therapy. Thursday marked the first time she tested it outside.

"I think if you just slow down, realize what you're doing and kind of block out what's going on around you, and go step by step, it's not as terrifying," she said.

Anderson's boyfriend Max Dahmen also stood by her side.

"It's just been a fun experience, she definitely lights up when this happens, so it's nice to see her in an awesome mood being able to do stuff she loves," Dahem said.

Anderson doesn't like to back down from a challenge. Her fighting spirit is not defined by her accident, but rather a dedication to getting things done.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm doing this, I made it through, I've gone this far, I never thought I'd be walking across the finish line," Anderson said.