Ideas on
  How To Adapt

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Supersize	Here you see the leg braces by themselves. Each leg brace is connected to the other by that funny looking metal mechanism that goes across the back of the braces.
Supersize	The heavy, curved bar that goes from one side to the other has a pivot point in the middle. When one leg goes forward, the bar moves up on one side and down on the other. That pushes the other leg backward.
Supersize	I put the leg braces on while I am in my wheelchair. I have to use shoes that are about two sizes larger than my regular shoes because the braces work better if I have a big platform (big shoes) on which to stand. It helps to be flexible because I have to put my shoes on while my legs are straight out in front of me. The braces are tightly strapped to my stomach with velcro straps.
Supersize	When I have tightened all of the velcro straps I'm ready to stand up. It requires some strength because I need to lift my whole body weight with my arms. As you can tell from the picture I am quite heavy. I weigh 200 lbs and should weigh around 150 because my leg muscles have atrophied.
Supersize	Here, I was successful in hoisting my overweight body to a standing position. It would be much easier to stand and walk if I weighed less. I might even be able to use forearm crutches if I weighed less. Exercise and diet have become extremely important now that I spend most of my time in a wheelchair.
Supersize	Since I do not have any voluntary muscle movement in either leg the movement of the leg braces is controlled by tightening my stomach muscles and shifting my weight with my arms which are holding onto a walker. Some people are able to use forearm crutches instead of a walker. That makes it easier for them to get through narrow doorways and even climb stairs. But the forearm crutches are much more difficult to use than the walker. I just use a walker.
Supersize	It is possible for me to stand without holding onto the walker although I am not "relaxed". I think this is a subtle problem of adjusting the leg braces correctly. By putting some orthotics in my shoes I can shift my weight so that it is easier to stand. By adjusting other aspects of the leg braces I think I can stand straighter. As the orthotics staff at Hangers in Knoxville said: "Using these leg braces is a continuing process of adjustment. We don't just measure your body, make the braces and give them to you. You'll be coming back frequently to adjust the braces. That's normal. The adjustments will make the leg braces easier to use."

Each step is like doing a stomach crunch and a pushup. For me this is aerobic exercise. In fact, it is the best exercise I can get; even better than swimming! It is especially important because it provides a weight bearing exercise while I am in a standing position. Weight bearing exercise helps prevent bone mass loss (osteoporosis) which can lead to broken bones. Standing exercise works my heart far better than sitting exercise. Better circulation helps prevent blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Use of the leg braces enables me to walk and reach high places. That's a great convenience. But walking is far more important because it provides enormous physical health benefits.