VIDEO: Exoskeleton helping Jonjo ‘step into the unknown’

Paralysed jockeys and rugby players will be amongst the first to benefit from using an exoskeleton suit which has been purchased by a horseracing charity.

Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ) has bought the suit together with the IRFU to help with the rehabilitation of injured riders who have suffered lower extremity paralysis.

The suit has been sent to Neurokinex, a specialist rehabilitation centre in Co Antrim and the first jockey to use it was Jonjo Bright, who suffered severe injuries from a fall in March 2013.

The suit enables him to stand in an upright position and to use his own body weight to walk in the machine with the guidance of a physiotherapist trained in Ekso Bionics, also funded by the IIJ.

It improves the user’s breathing and blood pressure, increases bone density and reduces muscle wastage. “In a way we are exploring the unknown. It’s massive that the IIJ have bought this piece of equipment, this is what I was dreaming of. It allows me to literally step into the unknown,” said Jonjo.

IIJ chairman Ruby Walsh said it’s important people know the charity is 100% funded by public donations and fundraising events. He said people could help it through donating, volunteering, fundraising, or buying online.

Meanwhile, racegoers will have the chance to show their support for IIJ when they attend the evening meeting at Cork Racecourse in Mallow next Tuesday.

Racegoers will be asked to contribute a minimum of €5 to collection buckets at the entrance to the racecourse. All donations will be divided equally between IIJ and Mallow General Hospital.

Mary Kelly, the racecourse’s sales and marketing manager, said she was hoping for a big turnout to support the fundraiser. Jockey Davy Condon was recently forced to retire after suffering significant injuries. He said if wasn’t for IIJ he’d be struggling to pay his bills.

Gates open at the racecourse from 3.30pm.