Natalie Barrett sustained a spinal cord injury in a car crash in 2015. Diagnosed with a C5-C6 incomplete injury, she underwent inpatient rehab at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation for weakness and spasticity of the legs, and impairment of hand function. Natalie has participated in numerous studies at Kessler Foundation, including robotics and spinal stimulation. In this video, she demonstrates her ability to walk with assistance during transcutaneous stimulation. Activating the stimulator on the surface of the skin overlying her spinal cord lesion enabled her to stand and walk. Four years after this devastating injury, she has regained strength and the ability to walk with assistance, and has returned to work fulltime. 

Natalie Barrett was one of three individuals with spinal cord injury who demonstrated the progress they have made through spinal stimulation research, at the June 3, 2019 event highlighting Kessler Foundation’s new Center for Spinal Stimulation: Transforming Care and Recovery for People with Spinal Cord Injury.