My son would benifit greatly from a device like this that would assist in his arm movement. He was born with cerebral palsy due to a stroke and has limited movement on the right side of his body. It would be very admirable for Honda to help in assisting the handicaped in this way. I already know they build the best automobiles I drive one. I would welcome any communication about this topic.

Hi I agree an assist for arms could be wonderful. I wonder if I could ask how old your son is, mine had a prenatal stroke and is now 24 with his own son. It left him with a right side hemiplegia and hydrocephalus. The reason I write is to let you know that more and more is learned about the learning and relearning capacity of the brain, and that the brain is always growing, just ever slower as we age. My son was in aggresive pysical and occupational therapy as a child, and although he was some what resistant to excercise, we used simple night splints (a cast made in the correct position and cut off in half and then put back on with wide velcro straps at night or home time). That prevented contractures. I also enrolled him in drumming lessons, tabla with a master at age three, and at 4 he became a member of the childrens San Fransisco Taiko Dojo, practice at home involved wide sticks cut from a pole like a broom, but could be any size, and using a rubber tire for the drum. He was never a great drummer, but the over and over repetition really helped, he also loved baseball so going to commercial batting cages and little league again helped, although he was never good, it helped his arm and running. I would also contact the Christopher Reeves Foundation, remember how much he accomplished, like regained feeling and breathing on his own after complete spinal cord cut. It's the repetition and making it palatable for the child through his natural interests. There is also the Hydrocephalus Assoc in San Francisco which can help even without the Hydrocephalus. Just coninually work the affected limbs, massage while you watch TV etc, that stimulate the nerves to grow, its slow but sure, now he is a stay at home dad who can hold and diaper his own baby, now a year old. When they handed him to me after shunt surgery at 10 days old, they told me not to expect anything, walk talk etc. but we did expect and the rewards are enourmous. Honda is magnificient and I hope they continue along these lines.

My wife's father is 94 years old and in great health except for his ability to walk is getting worse everyday. We are going to taking care of him because we do not want to place him in nursing home where we know he will deteriorate. We wonder if there is a study he could become involved in with your robotic leg supports. He does not have any financial worth and it will be hard for us too due to the economy. We do have wonderful senior services in our community where they will bus him from our home to a number of locations in our area. If there is any possibility for him to be in a study, please let us know.
Thank you, Dan Hessburg

Good idea, it has been around for some time though, simular to the flying Moller... what are designers like yourselves waiting for ? industry is emploding on themselves. With devices like these, there will be a 'Rebirth'. I am urban and forward thinking that is where your nitch will be. k.i.t.