CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — New technology is helping local kids put their best foot forward. A breakthrough treatment is having a great impact on local families.
Ethan Touchton is like any other sixth-grade boy -- he loves to move.
"I like to play every sport, and I like to hang out with my friends and family," he said.
But the 12-year-old does have one challenge: he was born with cerebral palsy.
A year ago it used to impact the way Ethan walked. Not anymore, thanks to a device called the Bioness.
"The first time he walked with it, and we walked with a normal gait and I started crying because he never walked like a normal child does,” said Ethan’s mom, Victoria Touchton.
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First developed for adults with drop foot, the technology was retro-fitted for children. There are three pieces -- a cuff, a foot piece and a control unit.
“All three work together, and send a signal from the peroneal nerve to the brain and during walking when he's in a swing phase it helps pick up the foot," said Suzanne Barje, of Wolfson Children’s Rehab Center.
"It helps me pick up my toe and helps me do activities," Ethan said.
Ethan has been using the Bioness for about six months and each day his movement improves.
"He moves better, his leg doesn't hurt as much, it doesn't cramp as much," said Victoria Touchton.
According to Wolfson Children's Hospital, it's the only local facility offering the technology.
Right now three local children are fitted with the Bioness and another three are waiting for approval.
For Ethan, this small device has opened up a whole new world.
"It’s very rewarding and you see parents, and families and kids get such joy wearing it, it's awesome," Barje said.
The Bioness can be used in kids ages 2 to 12.
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