FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — For 21 years, Marrianne Rooprai longed for the day she could walk outside along the beach with other people. A car crash left her paralyzed from the shoulders down, a diagnosis she initially refused to accept.
“Yeah, it was absolutely the most devastating news ever to hear, that doctors tell you you’ll never be able to walk again,” Rooprai said.
The British native came to South Florida to work with physical therapist Guy Romain at Neurofit 360. After years of rehabilitation and training, Rooprai achieved a milestone she once thought impossible: walking with the aid of an advanced AI-powered exoskeleton.
“He makes me feel safe. He makes me push myself in ways I didn’t know I could,” Rooprai said of Romain.
Rooprai spent seven months in the hospital after her 2004 accident, building strength and determination before using the exoskeleton. Walking on a treadmill with the suit, she felt the payoff of years of hard work and perseverance.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have any dark days because obviously, I do,” she said.
Throughout her recovery, Rooprai’s partner Andy provided unwavering support. He admitted that the injury was difficult for him to process but said sharing the journey helped strengthen their relationship.
“But I wouldn’t want to show that because obviously, it’s completely different than what Marrianne’s going through. But I think it is important to share it and bounce off each other,” Andy said.
On a sunny day in Fort Lauderdale, Rooprai took her first steps along the beach with the exoskeleton, greeted by cheers from onlookers.
“To be able to walk down Fort Lauderdale beach with an exoskeleton, it was unbelievable. The sun was shining, the beach was there and I’ve got to say, the people were so pumped up. They were amazing,” she said.
Beyond her own recovery, Rooprai and Andy founded the Rooprai Spinal Trust, a charity aimed at helping others cope with spinal injuries.
More information on the charity and Neurofit 360.
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