One of Cameron’s Many Miracles! The Lokomat Walking Machine November 24, 2010

Cam's first steps -- 11 years in the making!

Over the last 8 weeks, Cams has been going through therapy with a Lokomat Walking Machine at the DMC – Children’s Hospital of Michigan Rehabilitation building in Novi, MI. The purpose of the machine is to hold him up (at first) and support 100% of his weight. The goal is to slowly take some of that pressure off of the machine and have Cams hold himself up with his own strength. Because he didn’t have enough strength on his own, it took a few weeks before they could take the weight away.

During the first week, Cams was walking from 30-45 minutes. By the end of the 8 weeks, he was walking for an hour and walking over an entire mile and a half! He ended up holding about 80% of his own weight!

Cams eyeing up the new machine!

This was a very unique experience for all of us. Cams had been on the waiting list for this machine since May and was finally approved for 8 weeks of therapy with the machine. Because preparation for using the machine takes so long, only one patient at a time can use it. Therapy goes in 8 week intervals and 6 months in between those weeks. Cams should be able to go back into the therapy in July of 2011.

Since the beginning of the therapy, Cams has gained lots of strength in his upper and lower body. He has also become a lot more verbal. There’s no saying if the two are linked, just an interesting observation

Seeing Cams walk for the first time was one of the most AMAZING things I have

Cams with a big smile!

ever seen! To say that I cried would be an understatement. Just to see him in a standing position was something I never thought I would ever get a chance to see. Seeing him take his first steps with a smile on his face is the best image I can give you.

We plan on putting Cams back into the therapy as soon as he is eligible. He now has a walker that he is working with at school and at home, which will continue to help him build strength and (hopefully!) balance so that one day he will be able to stand and walk on his own!

We would also like to point out that the DMC was GREAT with us! The therapist did an amazing job of making Cams comfortable and didn’t mind my picture-taking of the entire event! We are very, VERY thankful to have had the opportunity that the DMC was able to give us. Thanks to them, we were able to see a miracle happen for my little brother!

About the Machine

The Lokomat Walking Machine utilizes a therapy based on training. The purpose is to train your brain to go through the motions of walking while  building the muscle memory of how to do so, as well as building strength to be able to do so on

Lokomat Walking Machine

your own. This therapy is done with patients with neuro and spinal injuries or conditions that would otherwise prohibit them from walking.

The machine holds the patient up by harnesses as the treadmill runs beneath them. Robotic “legs” move the patient’s legs in the walking motion, working their hips and knees. The machine also helps move the foot in the proper motion for walking. All of these areas need to be monitored on the computer to be sure that the patient is comfortable and not in any pain! We ran into a few times where Cams was in pain — we believe the culprit to be from his heels being stretched in ways that they had never been in before! It took a few weeks, but he was ready to go after the first month!

Cams makes it look easy!!

Check out these links for more information on the Lokomat Walking Machine

• Lokomat Walking Machine Information PDF
• DMC Spine and Back

For more pictures from the therapy, please visit the Tweet4Cams Facebook fan page and click photos