Exoskeleton helps Sam Schmidt take first steps after over two decades [Video]

• Former Indy racecar driver Sam Schmidt has been paralyzed from the shoulders down since a racing accident in 2000.
• He was finally able to take his first steps in over two decades thanks to an “exoskeleton” that supports his legs.
• The new tech helped him return to his beloved sport and dance with his daughter at her wedding.

Sam Schmidt’s career as an Indy racecar driver ended after a racing accident in 2000 left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Now, after over two decades in a wheelchair, he got to stand up and take his first steps.

The inspiring moment was made possible by an “exoskeleton” designed by Arrow Electronics engineers. The new tech supports his legs, enabling him to stand and walk, although with balancing support from a person behind him.

Schmidt told TODAY‘s Harry Smith, “I’ve almost ran out of words to describe the feeling in this entire process. Epic. Mega. Unbelievable.”

Some of the things he missed in 21 years was “the view,” and receiving a “full-body hug,” which he finally got a lot of.

A few years ago, he was able to return to his passion for racing by using a specially designed Corvette. The car, also by Arrow Electronics, allowed him to control it with his head movements.

Schmidt was even able to compete in multiple races again.

He recently told Smith at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, “Everybody thought it was insane. Why would I go back to the sport that put me in a wheelchair?”

He said that he has been racing since he was 5, and it has been all he “ever wanted to do.” The thought of being able to compete again was what kept him going for the past decades, he said.

Schmidt said, “In 21 years, I’ve never had a dream where I was in a wheelchair. I’m always walking around with my kids and the race team and everything else.”

Seeing Schmidt walk again was also emotional for Tim Baughman, who was one of the crew members who pulled Schmidt from the 2000 wreckage. He said that it was the most inspirational scene he had seen during his 38 years of being a paramedic.

The exoskeleton’s engineers are still working on more advanced versions so that Schmidt would no longer need to be balanced by another person from behind.

He shared that being able to operate it completely by himself would be a “mega-task” that he is more than willing to tackle.

Still, thanks to the device, he was able to dance with his daughter at her wedding.

It’s “been a wild month” for Schmidt, and he still has a lot to look forward to.

Source: TODAY