Spotlight: Adam Gorlitsky

Adam Gorlitsky, age 32, became paralyzed after a car accident while he was in college 13 years ago. Since 2015, he has been using the ReWalk Exoskeleton (a device worn on the legs), which helps him stand and walk. The Exoskeleton made it possible for Gorlitsky to complete the Cooper River Bridge Run (a ten-kilometer event) close to home in Charleston, South Carolina, as well as the Portland Half-Marathon and the last six miles of other marathons, albeit slowly. Starting on March 22, he attempted to get to the end of the Los Angeles Marathon, which took place for other participants on March 24. Pain and sleep deprivation led Gorlitsky to stop after more than 28 hours during which he walked 17.2 miles, the longest distance covered by an American with the use of the Exoskeleton. Although he didn't complete the marathon, he said it was his greatest experience ever, and he plans to try another marathon in the future. Gorlitsky is the founder and CEO of I Got Legs (igotlegs.org), a nonprofit that gives people with physical disabilities opportunities to improve their quality of life through programs and grants. For more details on this story, go to https://www.postandcourier.com/columnists/paralyzed-adam-gorlitsky-of-mount-pleasant-calls-l-a-marathon/article_e5894626-4fd5-11e9-b1b8-5f417e83b561.html.

Adam Gorlitsky with the Exoskeleton

(image via igotlegs.org)