Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

At 18 years old, Mary Maloney is defying the odds in ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. Walking confidently down the hallways of AHN Suburban Hospital in Bellevue, she’s taking steps that were once unimaginable—supported by a robotic exoskeleton that’s as life-changing as it is innovative.

Just a few weeks ago, Mary’s record was 300 steps in a session. But during a recent physical therapy session, she was on the verge of hitting 1,000, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Do you think we can get to 1,000 steps before we stop?" asked physical therapist Marielle Lynch as the machine beeped steadily along. For Mary, who was paralyzed at 13 after a rare spinal cord stroke, every step feels like a miracle.


A life-altering moment

In August 2020, Mary was just a normal kid, enjoying time on her trampoline at home. But a single jump changed everything. She landed awkwardly and felt a sharp pain in her shoulder blades. Within moments, her legs began to weaken.

"I just remember this gut-sinking feeling like when you know something is wrong," Mary recalled. "My legs started to get weaker and weaker and then I sat down. I couldn’t explain it—I’d obviously never felt it before—but I just couldn’t get up from there."

Doctors soon confirmed the unimaginable: Mary had suffered a spinal cord stroke, a rare and devastating condition that left her paralyzed from the waist down.

From that moment, Mary’s journey became one of sheer determination. She underwent countless forms of physical therapy—swimming, horseback riding, electrical stimulation, and even crawling—to regain her strength. But despite her efforts, walking seemed out of reach without major breakthroughs in technology.

A glimmer of hope

That breakthrough came three years ago, when Mary’s mother, former KDKA-TV reporter Pam Surano, learned about robotic exoskeletons. The devices provide structural support and use sensors to detect muscle activity, offering feedback and assistance for walking. After contacting EksoBionics, the company behind the first FDA-approved exoskeleton for patients with neurological injuries, Mary got the chance to try one.

The results were groundbreaking.

"The device is able to detect initiations of muscle contractions that may not be visible or able to be determined by the naked eye."

— Dr. Gary Hoover

Seeing the potential, Mary’s friends and family sprang into action. Her childhood friends, who had formed a fund called Miracles for Mary, began raising money to bring the device to Pittsburgh. Alongside the West Penn Hospital Foundation, they managed to raise nearly $200,000—enough to secure the EksoNR robotic exoskeleton for AHN Suburban Hospital.

"It is truly a real-life miracle to see this happen," said Adam Klickovich, who contributed to the effort through a foundation established in memory of his mother, Diane M. Foley. "We’re just very happy to be a part of this."

"We’re just very happy to be a part of this. It is truly a real-life miracle to see this happen."

— Adam Klickovich

Walking toward a brighter future

Today, Mary uses the exoskeleton three times a week during physical therapy sessions. Her progress has been nothing short of remarkable.

"It’s just absolutely mind-blowing. It’s smart and it knows, it works with you, and you just feel this glimmer of hope."

— Mary Maloney

Not only has Mary improved her stamina, but her core strength has also grown significantly. While walking independently remains a goal, the exoskeleton has already changed her life—and it’s poised to change the lives of others.

The EksoNR at AHN Suburban is the only robotic exoskeleton in Pittsburgh available for outpatient use. Dr. Hoover notes that it’s not just for spinal cord injuries like Mary’s—it can also help patients with strokes, brain injuries, and other neurological conditions. Even for those who may not regain the ability to walk, the device offers therapeutic benefits like weight-bearing exercises and improved circulation.

"My heart really goes out to people in this situation who don’t get the help and support that I’ve been blessed with," Mary said. "I’m just so excited that this is going to open the door to other people. People might not even know that this was an option."

A community’s impact

Mary’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when community, technology, and determination come together. Her progress has inspired those around her and created a ripple effect that will benefit others in the Pittsburgh area for years to come.

For Mary, the road ahead is full of hope. "I feel like me in 2020 would be just so proud," she said. "Probably disappointed that I’m still not there yet, but still proud of how I’ve taken it up—the issue—and really kind of ran with it."

Mary’s steps may be supported by groundbreaking technology, but her resilience and community-driven support system are what truly keep her moving forward.

More For You

child cancer, neuroblastoma battle, brave kid, talent show, inspiring story, girl singing, pediatric cancer, emotional video, childhood illness, cancer warrior

Brielle sings "A Million Dreams" from 'The Greatest Showman' for talent show audition.

briestrongerthancancer/Instagram

Young girl fighting cancer sings heart-wrenching 'Greatest Showman' song for talent show audition

Second grader Brielle Bird, 9, has the voice of a songbird. Brielle is currently battling cancer, stage 4 neuroblastoma, for the second time following a relapse in January 2024. And despite her physical challenges, she did not let it stop her from auditioning for her school's talent show.

In an emotional video shared on Instagram, Brielle sang "A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman, just a few days after receiving bad new from her doctors. "When you’re tired, I’ll keep fighting for you!" Brielle's mom Kendra wrote in the video's caption.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mary Maloney and some of the team that have helped on her journey to recovery.

Mary Maloney is taking big steps thanks to a strong community and new technology.

Paralyzed teen takes her first steps in years, then takes 999 more

At 18 years old, Mary Maloney is defying the odds in ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. Walking confidently down the hallways of AHN Suburban Hospital in Bellevue, she’s taking steps that were once unimaginable—supported by a robotic exoskeleton that’s as life-changing as it is innovative.

Just a few weeks ago, Mary’s record was 300 steps in a session. But during a recent physical therapy session, she was on the verge of hitting 1,000, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Do you think we can get to 1,000 steps before we stop?" asked physical therapist Marielle Lynch as the machine beeped steadily along. For Mary, who was paralyzed at 13 after a rare spinal cord stroke, every step feels like a miracle.

Keep ReadingShow less
A messy room can be a symptom of a larger issue.

Jonna Roslund turned a typically trivial chore into a triumph over depression.

Jonna Roslund, used with permission.

Her room tells the truth, depression doesn’t always show on your face

Sometimes a messy room is more than just a mess. For Jonna Roslund, a 26-year-old from Sweden living with severe depression, her bedroom was a mirror of the emotional weight she was carrying—and cleaning it became a powerful form of self-care.

“I suffer from severe depression and have a really hard time with cleaning and doing other kinds of household work,” she shared in a post on Imgur. For months, Roslund had been unable to tackle the clutter in her room, the task too overwhelming to even begin.

Keep ReadingShow less
A man at the gym lifting a weight.

Representative Image: Going to the gym in the first place is an effort for some people.

Man gets mocked at the gym but a fitness expert turns the moment into a lesson in kindness

Gym culture can be a powerful force for good—offering a space to push limits, build confidence, and find community. But when social media antics and public shaming warp it, it can become a source of anxiety instead. That’s exactly what happened when TikTok user @nikkii_fitness, a self-described bodybuilder and health coach, posted a video mocking a man’s workout. What she likely didn’t expect was the wave of backlash—and the powerful clapback from fitness influencer @thejoeyswoll, who used the moment to teach a vital lesson about respect and gym etiquette.

The video that crossed a line

In the now-deleted video, Nikki filmed a man working out and sarcastically asked viewers, “What do you think he's doing? What do you think he's working? I don't know either.” The man was performing a movement with dumbbells that looked unfamiliar to some, leading Nikki to make a joke out of it for her followers.

Keep ReadingShow less
She went to the ER in Spain. The bill made her question everything about American healthcare.

This could have been disastrous

Representative photo via Canva

She went to the ER in Spain. The bill made her question everything about American healthcare.

Exploring another country comes with unforgettable moments—new cultures, new foods, new perspectives. But it can also bring unexpected challenges, especially when emergencies happen far from home.

That’s exactly what Ana Ochoa faced in Madrid when her 83-year-old father suddenly missed a step and fell hard onto the pavement outside a restaurant. Panic set in. Thankfully, an ambulance quickly arrived and transported him to Hospital Clínico San Carlos, one of Spain’s most well-regarded hospitals.

Keep ReadingShow less