Paralyzed Man Loses Ability to Walk After Manufacturer Refuses to Fix Battery Of Exoskeleton

Michael Straight, a former jockey paralyzed from the waist down, found himself unable to walk for two months due to a malfunction in his $100,000 exoskeleton.

The issue stemmed from a battery problem in the watch used to operate the device, but the company behind the exoskeleton, Lifeward, refused to fix it, citing the age of the machine, as reported by the Paulick Report and 404 Media.

Straight has relied on the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton since 2014, following a severe horseback riding accident that left him paralyzed. However, when the battery in his watch malfunctioned, Straight was shocked by the company’s response.

“I called [the company] thinking it was no big deal, yet I was told they stopped working on any machine that was 5 years or older,” he shared on Facebook, frustrated that a minor battery issue had left him immobile.

“I find it very hard to believe after paying nearly $100,000 for the machine and training that a $20 battery for the watch is the reason I can’t walk anymore,” Straight wrote.

After two months of seeking help to no avail, the issue was finally addressed once Straight’s story gained attention through the Paulick Report and a local Florida news station.

Lifeward fixed the problem within days of the media coverage. “What took me two months and got me no results, only took you guys four days,” Straight remarked in a Facebook video after the fix was completed.