Paralysis, Perseverance, and Possibility: How Adam Gorlitsky Achieved the Impossible

Adam Gorlitsky is a pioneer in the world of adaptive athletics and the founder of I GOT LEGS, a non-profit organization dedicated to ReEnabling individuals with spinal cord injuries. On December 30, 2005, Adam was involved in a catastrophic car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Doctors believed he would never walk again. However, a decade later, Adam defied the odds and became the first paralyzed man to walk the Cooper River Bridge Run using a ReWalk robotic exoskeleton.

Since his groundbreaking achievement in 2016, Adam has participated in over 50 road races, including breaking a Guinness World Record for exoskeleton marathon walking. His journey from paralysis to becoming a beacon of hope for others with spinal cord injuries is a testament to human resilience and the power of innovative technology.

Show Notes

Adam's life-changing accident and initial prognosis
Introduction to the ReWalk robotic exoskeleton in 2015
The birth of I GOT LEGS and its evolution from a personal fundraising effort to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Adam's first major achievement: completing the 2016 Cooper River Bridge Run
The mission of I GOT LEGS and its impact on the spinal cord injury community
Adam's remarkable athletic achievements, including his Guinness World Record
The concept of being "ReEnabled" and how it differs from traditional notions of disability and ability
The future of adaptive technology and its potential to transform lives

Adam's Stats

Date of car accident: December 30, 2005
Type of injury: Spinal Cord Injury, complete T-9
Date of ReEnablement: December 30, 2015
Assistive device: ReWalk Robotic Exoskeleton
Total steps taken: 2 million and counting
Total races walked: 51
Career highlights:
2016 Cooper River Bridge Run
2018 Portlandathon
2020 Charleston Marathon
Guinness World Record Holder for Fastest Marathon Distance in a Robotic Walking Device

Follow the show for more and thanks for listening!

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Connect with Adam Gorlitsky

Website https://www.igotlegs.org/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/i_got_legs/

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Eric Bland

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