Paralyzed Racecar Driver Walks Again Thanks To New Technology

[@jesseemullen]

He always said he would walk his daughter down the aisle. And he did it! Unbelievable

[@vietpir]

IT’S A MIRACLE

[@jodie3278]

Go Sam. My Father at age 61 had a simple fall helping his disabled brother. Dad was dealt with quadriplegia. Toughest man I have ever met. Spent every dime trying to walk. 14 years later he died. It was absolutely horrible.

[@v12tommy]

When I was in Indy and first heard that he danced at his daughter's wedding, even I got emotional for him. I had heard for years, that was his goal, and I just assumed it was a pipe dream. I'm glad Arrow was able to help him make it a reality. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy too. Sam Schmidt is as genuine as they come.

[@JRenee-Sings]

This is too much!! Just heart gripping!

[@julianrakowskijevdh4373]

This man is a legend he doesn’t let his injuries ruin him

[@PhiddyPford]

Thank You Sam !!!! Inspiration and Hope!

[@luisoutumuro424]

Met Sam several years ago at AutoClub Raceway in Fontana, CA. He drove the adaptive Corvette pace car that weekend, and showed off the new BraunAbility Ford Explorer MXV (first commercially available adaptive SUV with a ramp). We talked, shared experiences and some ice cream. Sam does not inspire by what he is, he inspires by what he does... he finds a way. #TriumphOverSCI #BraunAbility #MoreThanMyChair

[@robertmarino2158]

Wow , what a special man , congratulations , stay safe stay strong !

[@ScamLikely9327]

This made me cry like a baby when he said he missed the view and that he never dreams that of himself in a wheelchair.

[@SinisterServal]

My God this is amazing to watch, hopefully this technology gets mass produced one day and that being unable to walk again will be a thing of the past.

[@johnsmith1474]

He's not walking stupid, he can't even stand. It's a dog & pony show for millions of taxpayer $$.

[@SinisterServal]

@@johnsmith1474 Quit watching politics and you’ll be happier

[@alelwin]

A great story.. Good guys do finish first. Truly so inspirational. Our Country and the entire world needs these types of stories now in all our lives. Never ever give up on hope and on yourself. Miracles do happen.

[@merrittdegraw4313]

Thanks Arrow/ Sam Schmidt! The progress being made today is incredible ! I saw a small insight in my younger years! I got to try all the precursors to C-legs! What I see you doing today is incredible!

[@Mikertt]

As a lifelong open wheel racing fan, I hope to see Sam make even more progress in the future. I remember when back in the early days of the Indy Racing League, drivers were getting injured quite often. CART drivers also had their fare share and a few fatalities, but Sam stuck out because he was paralyzed after his accident. So glad that he stuck around in the sport to become a team owner and also have race winning teams. I hope to see Robert Wickens make a full recovery and maybe step back into an IndyCar even if it is just for show.

[@davidmccain7662]

Sam Schmidt and Alex Zanardi are 2 of the most inspiring people you will ever see. Both see only opportunities in the face of adversity.

[@LuminalSpoon]

Don't forget Billy Monger.

[@rayleslie4767]

Sam and Alex Zanardi, 2 legends. Keep fighting guys!

[@beefyiceman94]

When he said he's never had a dream when he was in a wheelchair, I can relate, I'm just a paraplegic however when I dream I'm walking and perfectly fine and sometimes I forget when I wake up I need to get in my wheelchair.. It's crazy.

[@mellymel3292]

I had a dream about a friend recently, and due to an accident, he became quadruapalegic. In my dream, he was freely moving, and happy, and with pups. I will always remember him this way

[@larrybass2012]

Truly inspirational !!!

[@BrentHoladay]

Amazing.... So happy for Sam. Determination, that's how I remember him.

[@scottc8350]

Absolutely incredible! 👍❤

[@jeffperry7971]

I’m an Indycar fan. Have been all my life, and Sam Schmidt is truly an inspiration to all. But I have just one question. Why can’t we give an opportunity to paralyzed grass roots racers? Ex. Kevin Swindell? Or how about Brad Doty who was paralyzed in 1988?

[@stunter2875]

I agree but it has to start somewhere and with someone. He just happened to be teamed with the right people and hopefully it will evolve to others.

[@jeffperry7971]

@@stunter2875 I completely agree. I just hope it does, for all those guys.

[@ciello___8307]

it takes money

[@patlatorres7000]

It has to start with the first step! I happen to know a number of paraplegic sports car racers, some of them faster than me, by a long shot. This is just version 1.0. As the technology improves, you can bet that LOTS of other people will be brought in as BETA testers. Think beyond racers, imagine this being available to military personnel who have been wounded in combat, and this is just one possibility.

[@jeffperry7971]

@@patlatorres7000 WOW! That right there is great information and thanks for making me look at things differently! You make a very good point. Or would be so cool if we could develop that technology to affect people in ALL walks of life. Great call out. Thanks Pat!

[@madcowmark7129]

I'm a Australian and never heard of this guy, I'm 55 yo, tattoos earrings beard and would call myself a man's man. By God this story had tears streaming down my face, as much as I hate technology this is just a fantastic story and cheers to everybody involved and Sam, God Bless you all.

[@oscarmeeks9752]

So happy for Sam. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@유우키아스나]

what a heartwarming news!!

[@johnsmith1474]

I find it dismaying advert for pentagon projects that enable more war.

[@shawnmicheal8]

Freaking awesome!!!!! What a story ...

[@danieldravot341]

This is a better story than Helio’s victory . . .

[@NASCARMcDonaldsPaperSeries]

Fr

[@mondeacid5610]

Wow, cong4atulations from the Philippines and God Bless

[@williamcap2236]

That is amazing think with this technology where they will be in 10 years or even 20 years being paralyzed will be a thing of the past just amazing !

[@Hollowsmith]

I have friends working on neural net technology (where the human brain has a command-thought that can directly trigger attached technology/machinery to complete the action as our muscles do), and they're saying this "exoskeleton tech" for paralysis patients will be here en masse within 10 years, where the mind of the paralysis patient triggers exoskeleton sitting/standing/walking as reliably as able-bodied minds trigger our muscles to perform those actions. What a joyous breakthrough in our lifetimes!

[@vetb882]

I shared this with a friend with the degree sci injury, it made his day, and made me cry. This gives HOPE, real tangible HOPE that men like Francesco Clark, Tony DiStefano, Andre Malherbe, Jesse Nelson and David Bailey will walk again. THIS is what technology should be used for, not to build smarter bombs. Way 2 Go, Sam Schmidt. God bless you and Arrow Electronics. 💪🏻✝️💪🏾 *All the men mentioned are athletes who different sci, some are world champion motocross races, others marginal champions. Like Sam, Mr. Clark created a well loved business that became reality through his own SCI. Google him to see his story, his book "Walking Papers" is the basis for the feature film script in currently working on. The is HOPE, there is always hope. 💖💝💞

[@timdaugherty5580]

How does it get any better? I guess we'll have to wait to see...

[@joshuapittman4663]

1 side of me wishes that Sam never had is career ending wreck, but another side of me is fine with it knowing that he’s overcome his disability and is now helping people that he likely wouldn’t have that about had he not had the accident.

[@Billhatestheinternet]

This guy, with his wit and smile, he reminds me of Robin Williams. Maybe I'm just finally losing it. Would have been an ideal character to play Sam if he was still around.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Super cool!!!!!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@georgef1176]

Sam is truly inspiring. He was ripping all weekend at goodwood festival of speed in a mclaren 720s and he was using all 700 ponies

[@kitsunelee007]

I'm contacting these ppl for my Mother a Marine Vietnam Veteran

[@gosmo4504]

Sam is a legend off the track!

[@overlord5580]

Amazing

[@jeffreyschwarz3699]

Was this Rewalk which is used with 2 canes?

[@armybeef68]

"The exoskeleton now is version 1.0, Schmidt said, the goal to get him upright and walking. The way the unit works, it requires his body to shift weight to the left and right to move his legs. Schmidt can't do that shift" "Arrow is working on version 2.0 that will use voice command to allow Schmidt to initiate the steps and not require the body shift" That might not be good anywhere close to an Army base, I can just imagine it now, DOUBLE TIME!

[@o1420]

This is so neat❤️🇺🇸

[@georgemallory797]

Nice to just see a piece about something positive without some hidden agenda rearing its all too familiar head. Inspiring.

[@DougMcDave]

I had seen where the IDF had made something like this for one of their soldiers who was paralyzed during the fighting.

[@sking2173]

Islamic Defense Force ??

[@DougMcDave]

@@sking2173 Israeli defense force! Acronym is used all the time.

[@calvincooley1074]

They should get Boston Dynamics involved in this.

[@tyfrazier2905]

GREAT

[@johntiffault5156]

That is a game changer

[@KG-xr5no]

My brother is using one of these right now

[@Erik-pr2rf]

Where there is a will there's a way

[@spikes7846]

Why tf don't we just give these to every paralyzed person a 2nd chance

[@jmissle]

because at this point the tech is costly and unproven and bulky and it takes more than just person wearing it to operate it.....But who knows....Maybe the tech becomes more user friendly in 5 to 10 years

[@izzdin6228]

@@jmissle they better be user friendly and don't cost a fortune within that time frame. Not that i need it now, but alot of people stand to benefit this tech.

[@luisoutumuro424]

Hi Spikes, There are several reasons. Including not everyone with paralysis is a good candidate. After a few years of paralysis and not bearing weight, bones become soft and brittle. This is why it is important for people with spinal cord injuries to have in-home standing frames, which most insurance companies won't pay for. Sam's Arrow device is a one-off. But there are already other comparable devices available... like the Indigo and the ReWalk. Depending on the needs of the user, they cost between $80k to $130k per device. Unless you are a combat vet or worker's comp, insurance doesn't pay for them. The long-term adoption rate is not very high. They end up being too cumbersome and not mobile enough. The technology isn't there yet.

[@spikes7846]

@@jmissle yup all about $$

[@codymoe4986]

By "we", don't you mean "they"? Because we includes you and I and I don't have a checking account that can cover turning every paralyzed human into a sci fi robot...

[@david9192]

What technology is this

[@jondixon1392]

NICE

[@tammyt1971]

I'm here after watching his daughters tik tok of their dance.

[@merrittdegraw4313]

I want Sam’s old wheelchair!

[@SlickArmor]

LOL Who's that guy crouched down behind him? He isn't "standing", he's propped up? LoL I get it but don't tell me it isn't funny.

[@jonathanreyes3249]

👍

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

walks ? NOPE

[@billcampana3471]

I think you can give God the credit for blessing the engineers with the ability to design such incredible equipment. You have been chosen to be the example. Carry on Sam, way to go.

[@Skippy-id9yt]

Does that mean this "god" made him suffer being quadraplegic on purpose then??? .......So No mate "god" has nothing to do with any of this .....just men and women .......

[@tinyayers2304]

Hello friends Please pray to get better soon 😇🙏🙏🙏🤩🤩😍😍🥰😇

[@realmccoy1586]

If he would have slipped on ice and ripped his eyes out while walking in his SUPRRSUIT I would have been in shock

[@realmccoy1586]

Speed kills goofball

[@caroline61804]

is this shoemacher

[@frankcastle5737]

Nobody asks for people to race for entertainment. In fact, while polluting the air, clearing land and removing habitats from their environment, and the risks involved who even watches this crap, much less fund it? Can anyone even give a valid rebuttal as to why we need this so called sport?

[@romeovoid7276]

Your argument is inane. Why do we need any sport? They all do the exact same thing you're whining about. If you don't like racing why are you watching this video? Hypocrite.

[@thehoror01]

Nearly every efficiency/safety improvement to consumer cars has its roots in motorsport. A small list of innovations that motorsports are responsible for just off the top of my head: - Tire compounds - Modern suspension systems - Antilock brakes - Disc brakes - Traction control - Turbochargers - Hybrid systems - Carbon fiber manufacturing techniques - AWD systems

[@jaedog53]

Nobody asked you to comment from your lithium battery powered device that pollutes the environment, which you bought from a retailer that cleared land to build, where you drove to from your own car that pollutes the environment.

[@gavinmellon9313]

We had a shortage of ventilators during the worst of the Covid crisis here in the UK. The F1 teams stepped in, built and donated 1000's of ventilators very quickly and efficiently, and they performed way better than ones used by the NHS. There are a lot of people alive today that probably don't even realise the significance that F1 played in their survival. 🍉🏁🇬🇧

[@Billhatestheinternet]

@@gavinmellon9313 Mclaren and Williams have been pivotal in the healthcare industry. Just behind the scenes.