IRL

The Internet helped fund this paraplegic man’s new ‘magic legs’

Watch him take his first steps.

Photo of Audra Schroeder

Audra Schroeder

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Last month, Kim Angell put out a call on GoFundMe: She asked the Internet to help fund her fiancé Gus’s “magic legs.” 

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As she explained, more than a decade ago, Gus was involved in a car accident and was a “T8 complete paraplegic.” He had since been using a wheelchair to get around, but was eligible for “reciprocating gait orthosis” to help him walk again. They didn’t have the $3,250 needed to cover what the assisted device program wouldn’t, so she secretly started the GoFundMe account. In less than a week, the money was raised, with donations from both friends and strangers.  

Last month, she posted a video saying thank you and letting Gus in on the secret: He’d be getting his new legs. And now they’d be able to stand together on their wedding day in July. 

Today, we got an update video, showing Gus walking for the first time with his new legs. Get the tissues handy. 

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H/T Reddit | Photo via ilouque/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

 
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