But after a successful trial last year, her family hopes that a Canadian company’s so-called “robotic legs” will one day help the young Calgary girl walk on her own.Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Calgary SUN, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter.
The machine — which gently pushes mobility-challenged children’s legs with a proper gait, providing exercise and training — proved an incredibly useful tool for Ariana during a University of Calgary study, funded by the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, examining the technology and its benefits.Article contentThe robotic legs, even across a short three-month trial period, were a massive success for Ariana. The family and researchers were blown away by her progress.
Seven-year-old Ariana Levesque was diagnosed at two with an incredibly rare genetic disease, GHB1 syndrome.Condliffe says she expects the research to find devices like Trexo to be “neuroplasticity-inducing” meaning they can help people like Ariana have abilities they did not have before, even when they’re not using the device. She also noted it’s important to include rare cases, like Ariana, in more generalized studies.