Amanda Jones
13 April 2017: Walking across the stage at graduation is something most people take for granted, but it was an incredible moment for Canberra man and paraplegic Paul Jenkins.
Mr Jenkins was a teenager when a motorcycle accident in 2006 left him using a wheelchair.
But thanks to stem cell therapy, countless hours of physiotherapy and a wearable robotic exoskeleton, Mr Jenkins is learning to walk again and accepted his two bachelor degrees on his own two feet at his graduation ceremony on Tuesday 11 April.
“I never thought I would graduate, I really just took it up to get my brain working and to help me concentrate on my physiotherapy,” Mr Jenkins said.
“I originally wanted to be a clearance diver for the Navy, but after my accident I had to work out what else I could do. I always liked business so I enrolled in one unit and kept coming back.”
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Paul Jenkins walks across stage to collect his double degree in commerce and applied economics from the University of Canberra on 11 April. Photo: Vanessa Lam.
Mr Jenkins graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Applied Economics with a distinction average and is now undertaking his honours, studying altruism and conspicuous consumption.
Mr Jenkins has been approved to use a powered orthotic under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The device, named the ReWalk, is a wearable robotic exoskeleton with a powered hip and knee motion that allows the wearer to walk.
“The chair is so short some people don’t know you are even there,” he said. “But with the ReWalk I can look people in the eye and walk on different surfaces. It’s a real game-changer.”
Mr Jenkins said there were huge benefits to the technology.
“It could transform spinal cord injury recovery across Australia but there has to be an early take up now or the next generation of powered orthotics is not going to get off the ground,” he said.
“My ultimate goal is to walk independently without the exoskeleton.”
Since trialling the ReWalk last year, Mr Jenkins has completed the basic and advanced training using device with exercise physiologist Jim Barrett in Queensland and on the University campus.
“Paul has done exceptionally well in his training,” Mr Barrett, from Making Strides – a spinal cord injury recovery centre, said. “He can easily stand, walk up stairs and was the first person to walk on sand using the device in Australia.”
Mr Barrett said the ReWalk provided numerous benefits.
“Physical benefits include improved bone density, reduced nerve pain and improved core and upper body strength. The ReWalk also has psychosocial benefits such as walking into a room and looking people in the eye, and going places with steps or ledges that are not usually accessible in a wheelchair.
Mr Barrett said Mr Jenkins was one of Australia’s best ReWalkers.
“It has been a long hard road for Paul and it was great to celebrate this achievement with him,” Mr Barrett said.
