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Amanda Boxtel      

Paraplegic Woman & Motivational Speaker; Founding Executive Director of Bridging Bionics Foundation; Uses Bionic Exoskeleton Technology to Walk

Since February 27, 1992, former Brisbane-ite Amanda Boxtel has dreamed of walking again. On that fateful date, a freak skiing accident in Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado, rendered her with a permanent spinal cord injury from the pelvis down. She has since been involved in community and outreach projects that aim to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities in the United States. Boxtel is the founding Executive Director for the Bridging Bionics Foundation, demonstrating how bionic exoskeleton technology has a positive impact on the quality of life. Boxtel showcased the first partially 3D printed exoskeleton in the world for Singularity University’s European Summit in Budapest, Hungary, and then again at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. In November 2014 Boxtel presented her forwarding thinking ideas about neuro-rehabilitation and humanizing technology at TEDCity2.0 in Chengdu China.

Boxtel was the first person in the United States to own an EksoTM bionic exoskeleton suit manufactured by Ekso Bionics, which she acquired in June 2013. She has since donated her exoskeleton to the Bridging Bionics Foundation for use in the Aspen Community to help others who are paralyzed walk. She has walked in four bionic exoskeleton suits from different manufacturers around the world, including Ekso, ReWalk, Indigo, and a prototype from Bionik Labs in Canada. Her goal is to test pilot as many exoskeletons available in the market today to expand her experience and knowledge so she can speak to audiences from an authentic stance. She lives with her golden retriever, Benson, in Basalt near Aspen, Colorado.

Speech Topics


Keynote Address Topic Example

Walking in Style – How can 3D Printing design enhance functional robotics?

Showcasing the First 3D Printed Hybrid Bionic Exoskeleton Suit in the World

Integrating 3D printing capabilities with robotics opens new and unimaginable frontiers.

Speaking Topics/Descriptions

• Technology

• Innovation

• Disruptive Healthcare

• 3D Printing and Bionic Exoskeletons

• Motivation

• Inspiration

• Story-telling

News


Colorado advocate for movement therapies steps out in exoskeleton ...
Amanda Boxtel celebrates after finishing a walk using an "exoskeleton," and electronic suit that both walks for her and re-teaches her body how to walk on its  ...
Bionic legs have Amanda Boxtel walking again - The Washington Post
Technology improved Amanda Boxtel's when a skiing accident left her unable to walk.
3D-printed exoskeleton helps paralyzed skier walk again - CNET
The robotic suit, created by 3D Systems and EksoBionics, allows Amanda Boxtel, who was paralyzed in a skiing accident, to walk for the first time since 1992.

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