Every Tuesday, I spend one powerful hour upright — walking with the support of the Atalante X exoskeleton. To some, it might seem like a brief session, just 60 minutes out of the week. But for me, as a quadriplegic woman who spends the majority of her life seated in a wheelchair, that one hour holds tremendous meaning. It’s not just about physical movement — it’s about reclaiming my relationship to space, to gravity, and to my body. It’s a rare opportunity to experience the world from a standing perspective, which many take for granted but which I now cherish.

There’s something indescribably powerful about being at eye level again. I can look others in the eye, not up at them from below. I can move through a room and see it as it was designed to be seen — shelves, counters, and windows no longer hover out of view. This shift is not only physical, but emotional. For that hour, I feel grounded and present in a way that reminds me of my own wholeness, regardless of how my body moves.

The Atalante X exoskeleton is more than a device — it’s a partner in my journey toward autonomy and connection. It doesn’t just lift me physically; it lifts my spirit. It opens doors to experiences that were once inaccessible, and it offers a vision of what inclusive technology can achieve. Every session reinforces the idea that assistive technology should not just help us survive — it should help us thrive. It should restore dignity, enhance quality of life, and empower participation in all facets of society.

I often think about the people behind this technology — the engineers, the scientists, the dreamers who imagined that someone like me could walk again with the help of innovation. The physical therapists and the rest of the staff, whose encouragement is truly motivating their commitment to accessibility and inclusion, are what fuels my hope. I’m deeply grateful to them for not just designing equipment, but for creating possibilities. For every person whose mobility has been altered, technologies like the Atalante X are a reminder that we are not forgotten.

This journey is ongoing. It’s not just about steps — it’s about growth, healing, and rediscovery. With every walk I take in the Atalante X, I’m reminded that life with a disability does not mean life without movement, without joy, or progress. I’m finding my stride — one step, one breath, one hour at a time. And I invite you to follow along, as the journey continues to unfold.