Finding Confidence Through Movement: Will's Story

For Will Draney, living with cerebral palsy has meant navigating challenges with walking, running, and endurance throughout his life. Following a major surgery, Will faced the challenge of relearning how to walk and rebuilding confidence in his ability to move.

Through rehabilitation at Neuroworx and training with the Boost Treadmill, Will was able to reduce the impact on his joints, improve his walking mechanics, and gradually progress from walking to running. Today, he is running not only miles but entire 5Ks, and participating more fully in the activities he once found difficult.

The Challenge: Relearning How to Walk

Following surgery, Will faced a difficult rehabilitation process as he worked to regain his ability to walk comfortably and confidently. One of the biggest obstacles was overcoming the fear and discomfort associated with putting weight back onto his legs.

The Solution: Reducing Impact to Build Confidence

During his rehabilitation at Neuroworx, Will was introduced to the Boost Treadmill. By using differential air pressure technology to reduce his body weight, the Boost allowed him to practice walking and running with less stress on his joints and greater control over his movement.

For Will, the ability to reduce weight-bearing made training more comfortable and helped him focus on rebuilding his movement patterns.

"With regular treadmills and stuff, I would come down too hard, and it would hurt my legs or joints. But this helps. It doesn't hurt my joints as bad and keeps me pretty steady."

The reduced loading environment allowed Will to progress at a pace that felt safe while gradually increasing his strength, endurance, and confidence.

The Results: From Walking Again to Running a 5K

As Will continued his rehabilitation, his progress extended beyond improving his gait. He became more active, built endurance, and started participating in activities that once felt out of reach.

Today, Will can regularly run a mile and has completed a 5K in approximately 28 minutes. He is also able to play basketball with his friends without tiring as quickly as he once did.

"I would have never thought of even running a mile," Will says. "Running a 5K never would have crossed my mind in my entire life."

For Will, the biggest outcome has been the confidence to pursue things he never thought were possible.

"It's built my confidence and shown me that I can do things I didn't think I'd be able to do."