Female Vietnam war veteran, 65, who is paralyzed from the chest down becomes the first person to complete the NY marathon using an exoskeleton - in an epic THREE-DAY effort
- Vietnam war vet became first paralyzed participant to complete NY marathon
- Terry Vereline, 65, walked the 26.2 miles using a ReWalk robotic exoskeleton
- Vereline said she felt 'ecstatic' when she crossed the finish line after three days
A Vietnam war veteran has made history to become the first paralyzed competitor to complete the NY marathon with the aid of a robotic exoskeleton.
Terry Vereline, a former Army sergeant, completed the full 26.2 miles over the course of three days, setting out on Sunday, November 3.
The 65-year-old is paralyzed from the chest down and used the high-tech ReWalk robotic exoskeleton to walk a reserved course in Central Park.
Vereline's disability is caused by exposure to chemicals during her time in the military which developed into sarcoidosis in her 20s.
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease involving abnormal collections of inflammatory cells that form lumps known as granulomas.
Terry Vereline crosses the finish line on Tuesday, November 5. A former Army sergeant, Vereline completed the full 26.2 miles over the course of three days, setting out on Sunday, November 3
Terry Vereline taking part in the marathon in New York City with the aid of a robotic exoskeleton
Terry Vereline taking part in the marathon. Vereline's disability is caused by exposure to chemicals during her time in the military which developed into sarcoidosis
Vereline told CBS News she felt 'ecstatic' when she crossed the finish line and urged people: 'Don't give up.'
'I was doing something I never thought I would be able to do.'
She added that she hoped in the future more people would have access to the state-of-the-art ReWalk robotic exoskeleton.
'Hopefully, someday, we'll have more devices like this to get people up and moving around,' she said.
'Especially the kids.'
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided Vereline with the robotic legs five years ago for those with spinal injuries who couldn't afford the $77,000 for the expensive equipment.
Vereline takes part in marathon. She told CBS News she felt 'ecstatic' when she crossed the finish line and urged people: 'Don't give up'
She added that she hoped in the future more people would have access to the state-of-the-art ReWalk robotic exoskeleton
Terry Vereline (pictured) is a Vietnam war veteran and is paralyzed from the chest down
She was given hour-long training sessions three times a week. 'By the end of the month, I was walking with nobody holding me,' she said.
Vereline was symptom-free for 10 years after taking steroid treatment in her 20s but her symptoms returned, affecting her brain and spinal cord. Paralysis set in by 2011.
The veteran is also attempting to raise $100,000 for her Verelinefoundation.org foundation to help children with disabilities and fund accessible playgrounds.
On a GoFundMe page, the veteran outlines the difficulties children with disabilities face at school.
'Now when a challenged child expresses an interest in a sport, the parent can contact us,' she writes.
'We can help guide them to a location where the sport is being played. Help them sign up, and even help with fees and equipment.'
Terry Vereline taking part in the marathon in Central Park. Vereline is also attempting to raise $100,000 for her Verelinefoundation.org foundation to help children with disabilities and fund accessible playgrounds
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