BUFFALO, N.Y. -- 12 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were fitted for life-changing devices in Buffalo Tuesday morning through donations from local organizations.
Each boy was fitted for state of the art Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton arms, which utilize a system of rubber bands to eliminate the gravitational pull on the extremity.
The WREX arms improve the quality of life for the wearer, with most boys experiencing a range of motion that they had not had in years.
The donations were made in part by Suneel’s Light Foundation, along with Glory Be To Kids.
"It's been an extremely wonderful and inspiring experience to see boys who haven't been able to raise their arm off the armrest of the wheelchair for years, and now they're able to say 'high five' and wave to the crowd. But it's also everyday life, brushing your teeth, scratching your nose, fixing your glasses on your nose. Things that they've always needed assistance," said George Hajduczok, Suneel’s Light Foundation.
"I think he'll like it so he can feed himself, I mean he still feeds himself, but he can't sit properly to feed himself. And he'll be able to go pick something off the counter where he couldn't do that before," said Yvonne Schroder, mother of recipient.
All 12 boys are set to receive the devices within the next few weeks, just in time for the start of the school year.