Friday, April 21st, 2023, was a pivotal day in my life. At age 28, after 17 years in a wheelchair—more than half of my life—I stood up and walked. Let that sink in. Seventeen years. More than 6,000 days of viewing life from a seated position, navigating a world built for standing people. Then, in one breathtaking moment, everything changed. I’d seen my share of promising innovations come and go over the years, so when I first heard about Wandercraft’s Atalante X exoskeleton, I tried to keep my expectations in check. But from my first glimpse, I knew this was different. This wasn’t just another piece of assistive technology – it was a masterpiece of engineering where motors, sensors, and artificial intelligence worked in perfect harmony. Yet the real magic wasn’t in the technology itself. It was what it made possible. That Friday morning, as the exoskeleton hummed to life, I experienced a sensation I’d almost forgotten – the simple feeling of standing upright. The tears came without warning. Not tears of sadness or even pure joy, but something more complex – a cocktail of disbelief, gratitude, and emotions that words can’t quite capture. How do you describe the feeling of doing something you’d convinced yourself was impossible? The shift in perspective hit me hardest. After 17 years of looking up at the world, I was suddenly eye-to-eye with it again. It’s incredible how much you forget about this viewpoint – the way faces look at eye level, the different angles of familiar rooms, the simple dignity of standing shoulder to shoulder with others.And it wasn’t just standing. There I was, performing squats – movements that had lived only in my memory for nearly two decades. Each motion felt like rediscovering a part of myself I’d tucked away long ago, like finding an old photograph you’d forgotten existed. This moment transcended the simple act of walking. It was about possibility. About how technology, when created with a real understanding of human needs, can transform lives in ways that feel magical.

The Atalante X isn’t just an exoskeleton – it’s a bridge between what was and what could be, between limitation and liberation. Some experiences leave an indelible mark on our souls. Standing and walking again after 17 years was one of those moments for me. It showed me that in this age of technological advancement, we’re not just creating new devices – we’re creating new possibilities, new freedoms, and new ways to experience life’s simple joys. To the founders of Wandercraft, your persistence, passion, and vision created more than just technology – you created hope. To the entire team, thank you for giving people like me the chance to stand tall again. April 21st, 2023, will forever be etched in my memory, not just as the day I walked again, but as the day I witnessed firsthand how human determination and technological innovation can create pure magic. And sometimes, that magic looks like taking your first step in 17 years.