Paralysis, Perseverance, and Possibility: How Adam Gorlitsky Achieved the Impossible | EP7
Adam Gorlitsky is a pioneer in the world of adaptive athletics and the founder of I GOT LEGS, a non-profit organization dedicated to ReEnabling individuals with spinal cord injuries. On December 30, 2005, Adam was involved in a catastrophic car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Doctors believed he would never walk again. However, a decade later, Adam defied the odds and became the first paralyzed man to walk the Cooper River Bridge Run using a ReWalk robotic exoskeleton.
Since his groundbreaking achievement in 2016, Adam has participated in over 50 road races, including breaking a Guinness World Record for exoskeleton marathon walking. His journey from paralysis to becoming a beacon of hope for others with spinal cord injuries is a testament to human resilience and the power of innovative technology.
Show Notes
- Adam's life-changing accident and initial prognosis
- Introduction to the ReWalk robotic exoskeleton in 2015
- The birth of I GOT LEGS and its evolution from a personal fundraising effort to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- Adam's first major achievement: completing the 2016 Cooper River Bridge Run
- The mission of I GOT LEGS and its impact on the spinal cord injury community
- Adam's remarkable athletic achievements, including his Guinness World Record
- The concept of being "ReEnabled" and how it differs from traditional notions of disability and ability
- The future of adaptive technology and its potential to transform lives
Adam's Stats
- Date of car accident: December 30, 2005
- Type of injury: Spinal Cord Injury, complete T-9
- Date of ReEnablement: December 30, 2015
- Assistive device: ReWalk Robotic Exoskeleton
- Total steps taken: 2 million and counting
- Total races walked: 51
- Career highlights:
- 2016 Cooper River Bridge Run
- 2018 Portlandathon
- 2020 Charleston Marathon
- Guinness World Record Holder for Fastest Marathon Distance in a Robotic Walking Device
Follow the show for more and thanks for listening!
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Connect with Adam Gorlitsky
Website https://www.igotlegs.org/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/i_got_legs/
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Eric Bland
