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Ex-RAF officer walks again with robotic exoskeleton

Sharon Williams An image of Andy Williams in his dark blue RAF uniform, with an RAP cap and white gloves. A garden is seen in the background.Sharon Williams
Former RAF officer Andy Williams suffered a brain injury after a cement lorry fell on his car in 2018

A former RAF officer who suffered a brain injury after a collision is hoping to walk for the first time with the help of a new robotic exoskeleton.

Andy Williams was left and unable to walk and speak after a cement lorry fell onto his car in 2018.

Mr Williams' family and friends are raising money for him to get regular access to neuro-physio rehabilitation, hiring a specialist type of robot which aids him to walk and raises his levels of consciousness.

His wife Sharon Williams said: "He never ever lets anything beat him or get the better of him".

Sharon with Andy in their home. Sharon is smiling looking at the camera in a mint green top holding Andy's hand whilst he is sat in a wheelchair
Ms Williams said the machine not only helps him to move, but also makes him "more alert"

Mrs Williams said her husband was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" when the accident happened.

"Amazingly he's strong enough to be here today," she said.

"When he's using this machine his alert levels are very high. He can communicate with us using his facial expressions.

"He's able to do those things because we've made him more awake with this skeleton.

"We're hoping that we can use this machine an awful lot and see just how long these affects last."

Image shows Andy Williams using an eco-skeleton
Jakko Brouwers, managing director of Morello Clinic, with Andy Williams

Morello Clinic, where Mr Williams is receiving treatment, is highly specialised and offers the latest technology in neuro-physio rehabilitation.

Due to the incredibly high cost of renting such advanced technology, the clinic have a charitable arm called run by former patients.

Mr and Mrs Williams are fundraising for the charity to enable the clinic to continue renting the exoskeleton.

The 'ExoMotus M4 gait robot' stimulates consciousness by generating physical experiences.

Image shows a close up of Andy William's legs in the eco-skeleton.
Andy Williams using the exo-skeleton at Morello Clinic, Newport

Jakko Brouwers, managing director of Morello Clinic, said: "This year he started to walk in the exo-motors, so it's passive walking.

"For Andy, looking in the mirror he's recognising himself walking and can see his legs moving so that is of course switching his brain on.

"His alertness is very much improved when he can see himself walking as opposed to when we have him on a bed doing some passive movement and stretches with him."

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