BEND, OR -- A Bend man is able to walk again after being in a wheelchair for almost 14 years. Wearing a specially designed exoskeleton, Erik Himbert left a Bend physical therapy center Tuesday under his own power.

A year ago, he began using the technologically-advanced leg-brace system, “The company is called ReWalk. They’re just extremely amazing to work with. So, they came out, set the whole thing up, and I was finally able to get into a device. And here I am about ready to graduate from therapy to take it home and use it on my own. So, it’s been amazing,” says Himbert.

He’s especially ready to get back to his routine activities, “There’s a lot of outdoors things to do as you know around here in Central Oregon. There’s a lot of pathways that are really fun to go down. So, I’d love to just get out and enjoy the outdoors and be able to walk instead of being in my wheelchair.” He is excited for this opportunity, “To be able to walk and to be able to do kind of normal functions. Be able to have conversations with people standing upright. It’s so good, just mentally for me to be able to feel normal again.”

Himbert hopes others with spinal cord injuries will be inspired by his accomplishment.