A retired Army Sergeant has officially become the first-ever paralyzed American to complete the New York City Marathon.
As per reports, 65-year-old Theresa Vereline achieved the feat with the help of an exoskeleton, finishing the first 26.2-mile stretch through each of the five boroughs of New York City over the course of three days.
She walked the first 10 miles on November 1st, before completing a further 10 miles on November 2nd and the last 6.2 on the day of the actual marathon. As per Good News Network, she crossed the line at 6:35 p.m.
Vereline’s achievement is perhaps made all the more momentous by the fact she completed it on her feet, using a futuristic device called the ReWalk. The exoskeleton suit is made to help paraplegics move around with the assistance of crutches.
“Words cannot express the feelings I had crossing the finish line,” Vereline said, as per a press release. “This has been a dream of mine, and I hope I can serve as an inspiration to others that you too can achieve what seems like the impossible — especially all of the disabled children I meet across the country.”
Vereline became paralyzed in 2011 and has made use of the ReWalk Robotics exoskeleton for the past seven years.
“Ever since the day I stood up in the ReWalk for the first time, opportunities I never thought I’d have again were laid out before me,” she explained.
“I trained hard, and was able to achieve something amazing. And I am grateful for the chance to be able to stand and walk again every day.”
Thanks to new scientific advances, people who might have feared they’d never walk again can dream of doing unthinkable things, just as Vereline has proven.
The fact that this woman was able to complete the New York City marathon is just astonishing. Please help us send all our praise and well wishes.
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