Meet Ricky. He’s a 27-year-old Senior Software Development Engineer working in tech. He lives in New York and was diagnosed with MS four years ago. Before his diagnosis, he was an active person, who grew up wrestling and running. Around the age of 23, he started experiencing gait problems.

A diagnosis of MS is determined

After noticing differences in the way he walks, Ricky went to the doctor and was told they’d have to keep him to run a series of tests. “They did a lumbar puncture on me and that’s when they confirmed that I had MS. Over the next year, my gait continued to worsen and my mobility slowly started declining.”

Using different devices: canes, walkers, and wheelchairs

As Ricky’s mobility continued to decline, he soon needed mobility devices. “About three years ago, I started using a cane. Two years ago, I transitioned to a walker for long distances and kept using my cane for short distances. I was beginning to transition to a wheelchair when I first heard about Cionic.”

Trying the Cionic Neural Sleeve

Ricky first heard about the Cionic Neural Sleeve from his girlfriend. She was researching clinical trials and any new treatments for MS and soon learned about CIONIC. Ricky was already familiar with functional electrical stimulation and hopeful it could help him so he signed up to be an early adopter.

A significant improvement in mobility

Ricky has been wearing the Neural Sleeve every day for the last two and a half months. When he first started wearing it, he had very pronounced foot drop and could only walk short distances, and had difficulty going up and down steps.

“Ever since using the Cionic Neural Sleeve, I’ve been able to increase what I consider short distances. Before, I could only walk up five steps. Now, I can walk up six FLIGHTS. Sure, it’s not the most seamless thing, but it wasn’t even a possibility before. I’m really happy. Some of the stuff that used to be extremely difficult before are now much more comfortable.”

More than just improved mobility; better mental health too

Not only has the Cionic Neural Sleeve helped improve Ricky’s mobility — it’s also had an impact on his mental health. In the past, navigating unfamiliar places was difficult. He worried about people having to wait for him because he couldn’t keep up or that there wouldn’t be a place for him to sit or a wall for him to lean against.

He has a strong support system and says his friends were great about coming to see him, but the ability to more comfortably go to a bar or restaurant or spend time at someone else’s house has greatly improved his overall mental health.

The increased stamina and improved walking he’s experienced also allow him to help out more around the house. “I can do simple things like help with the dishes and take out the trash. Those things used to be so hard for me to do. I had to rely on my girlfriend to do them and I felt so bad I couldn’t help more.”

Reduced cognitive load while walking

In addition to improved mobility, more stamina, and increased freedom, Ricky says the Cionic Neural Sleeve has also helped reduce the cognitive load he experiences while walking. “The sleeve allows me to think about something else while walking. Before, without the sleeve, I had to focus on every step — every movement. Now I walk and don’t have to break down every instruction and all the intricate mechanics of walking.”

When asked if he has any advice for people who are considering the Cionic Neural Sleeve, Ricky said, “Do you wanna walk? It baffles me people haven’t jumped at this opportunity. Coming from a scientific perspective, your brain works with electrical signals, right? The sleeve has helped activate the muscles I need to walk better. The electrical stimulation takes some getting used to, but once I got it calibrated right, it’s been working perfectly for me.”

Ricky and his friends and family aren’t the only ones who have noticed measurable changes in his mobility. At his most recent neurology appointment, he was able to improve his walking speed by 2 seconds over a distance of 25 feet.

And his PT appointments have changed drastically as he’s gone from being able to walk up five steps to six flights.

Thank you, Ricky, for sharing your story! To learn more about the Cionic Neural Sleeve and if it’s right for you, take the 30-second assessment.

This is a user story from a Cionic customer, who has not been compensated to share their story. Individual results and experiences may vary. Consult with your doctor on treatment decisions.