A quadriplegic student was able to walk across the stage to receive his high school diploma, with the help of a device he has been training with for nearly a year.
On Monday, more than 700 Earl Warren High School students cheered on Austin Wolf at the graduation ceremony held at The Alamodome.
He was able to walk the stage with the help of a robotic exoskeleton. Austin has been training with the device at the Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital Medical Center since August 2015.
The device is strapped onto the patient’s torso and legs. The steps are controlled by a therapist but it provides balance. The idea is to help the patient strengthen and use their legs again.
Wolf was involved in a car crash that left him paralyzed in February 2015. He was going to lunch with friends off-campus when the crash occurred. There were six of them and only five seatbelts.
"He gave up his seatbelt for one of his kids and about 30 seconds later they got into an accident. They got T-boned. Immediately he couldn't feel his legs. So, he knew that something happened. His spine was pulled in between his discs," said Denise Davis, Austin's mother.
Davis said none of the other students in the car were injured like Austin.
"It's probably one of the worst days of my life. But I've been very determined since then," said Austin.
Austin still kept up his grades and even received an award for academic excellence while undergoing therapy. He still has more physical therapy in his future but eventually, he plans to go to the University of San Antonio and get a degree in engineering.
"My future plans is to be an engineer. Just make something successful of myself. I do believe I'll walk again," said Austin.
Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital Medical Center and University Hospital are the only two places in San Antonio with the device.