A Frenchs Forest father living with a spinal cord injury is working towards walking again with the help of a neuro-controlled exoskeleton at a Sydney rehabilitation clinic.
Injury During Family Task
In February 2023, Garry Tanner, 55, from Frenchs Forest, fell from a 2-metre-high wall while helping his elderly parents trim tree branches at their northern beaches property. The fall caused a spinal cord injury that left Mr Tanner paralysed from the waist down.
Photo Credit: RoboFit
From Active Life to Intensive Rehab
Before the incident, Mr Tanner led an active lifestyle—playing soccer with the Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders, bushwalking, sailing, and travelling overseas. Despite being classified as a “complete” paraplegic, he retains limited ability to transfer weight and has minor control in his legs.
RoboFit Technology in Action
For the past 12 months, Mr Tanner has been a client at the RoboFit rehabilitation clinic located in Mascot. The clinic uses the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL), a neuro-controlled exoskeleton developed by Japanese company Cyberdyne. The device reads electrical signals from the wearer’s muscles to assist with movement.
Photo Credit: RoboFit
During twice-weekly sessions, Mr Tanner is fitted into the exoskeleton, which has motors at the hips and knees. He is suspended in a sling over a treadmill that supports his body weight. With this setup, he can walk 20 to 30 metres per session, which has improved the smoothness and consistency of his steps.
Personal Goal: Walking at Home
Mr Tanner, a senior manager for an international engineering and technical inspection firm, aims to walk small distances around his house and garden using crutches, a walking frame, and braces for his legs and back by the end of 2025. He acknowledges he will always rely on a wheelchair but sees being able to stand and walk, even briefly, as a significant benefit to daily living and mental health.
Photo Credit: RoboFit
Clinical Perspective
RoboFit exercise physiologist Jordi Davies, who manages the Mascot clinic, says the neuro-controlled technology supports functional improvement through repetitive movement. The equipment is not designed for instant results but for long-term rehabilitation goals.
Encouragement for Others
Mr Tanner encourages people in similar situations to begin intensive rehabilitation as early as possible. He attributes his current progress to consistent effort and early intervention, stressing that staying active helps prevent muscle atrophy.
Published 14-Apr-2025
