Families Unite at Calgary’s Neuromotor Resource Expo to Explore Innovations

Families living with cerebral palsy and other neuromotor conditions gathered in Calgary on March 23, 2024, for the Neuromotor Resource Expo. This event, hosted by Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families as part of its 75th anniversary celebration, showcased the latest advancements in technology and provided essential community support. More than 50 local organizations participated, ranging from clinicians to adaptive recreation specialists and robotics researchers.

Sheralee Stelter, the executive director of Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families, emphasized the expo’s purpose of connecting parents and caregivers with valuable services that are often difficult to locate. “We wanted to bring together vendors and people from the hospital and robotics labs and brain-computer interface and resources that we supply to our families,” she stated. She expressed enthusiasm for the transformative power of technology, noting, “It’s truly incredible how technology is changing the lives of our kids, living it for the better.”

The expo featured demonstrations of groundbreaking innovations, including robotic walking devices and brain-computer interface systems. These technologies enable users to manipulate toys and devices using their thoughts, marking a significant leap forward from what was once considered science fiction.

Advancements in Neuromotor Technology

According to Elizabeth Condliffe, a researcher at the University of Calgary and leader of the Pediatric Onset Neuromotor Impairment Lab, the pace of advancements in this field has been remarkable. “There are now ways to facilitate walking for people who cannot walk,” she explained. “All of these devices have hit the market in the last 10 years, and two of them in the last five years.”

Condliffe highlighted the positive shift in the lives of adults with cerebral palsy, noting that they now live near-normal lifespans. However, she pointed out that barriers to full participation remain. “We need to do a better job of making sure that people have the supports they need to live the lives they want, such as competitive employment, living independently, and preventing preventable secondary health conditions,” she stated. “Community support is the key.”

Among the inspiring stories shared at the expo was that of Alex Mertens, a 26-year-old who demonstrated the capabilities of the Trexo robotic walking device. Mertens shared how the device has alleviated her chronic knee pain, allowing her to engage in activities like cycling and rock climbing. “I’m able to do a whole bunch of things now that my knee is better,” she remarked.

Mertens discussed how walking upright has transformed the way others perceive her. “When they just see me walking and the wheelchair is not there, they don’t question, ‘Are you in a wheelchair?’ It makes me feel like a regular person that can walk — just with the help of a device.” Currently a kinesiology student at Mount Royal University and working with Condliffe’s lab, Mertens expressed her desire to assist others with disabilities in becoming more active. “All kids should have this freedom to walk,” she emphasized.

A Community Celebrating Progress

For Stelter, whose own son has cerebral palsy and is now 30 years old and living independently, the expo served as a testament to the progress made within the community. “Robotics didn’t exist when he was little,” she reflected. “As you can see around here today, there are kids in these devices walking around — it’s incredible.”

The Neuromotor Resource Expo not only highlighted the latest technological advancements but also reinforced the importance of community support and collaboration in empowering families affected by neuromotor conditions. As families continue to navigate the challenges of cerebral palsy, events like this play a crucial role in illuminating the path forward.