If you would like to help purchase the Bioness L300 for Gui, click on Carmen's blog: http://walkingwithgui.blogspot.com
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Panama City Beach- Guilherme "Gui" Santos is passionate about karate. The sport is not only teaching this bright young man discipline and self-defense, it's helping him walk. Gui was born with a divided spinal cord, so his left foot doesn't lift when he walks. Karate has helped.

"He has a very positive attitude," explains his karate instructor, Roland Peak. "I have never seen him get frustrated or give up, I can't really put into words how to describe his motivation. He never seems to be put out if he can't keep up with the other students, he is always giving it his best."

"I'm already at a yellow belt with two black stripes on the tip of those yellow belts. It's kind of fun, it really helps my leg a lot," says Gui. Karate helps, but it's a device called the Bioness L300 that has made the most difference in the way Gui moves. The three part device sends an electronic shock to Gui's foot, telling it to lift, allowing him to walk. Without it he has to wear a brace and walk with a pronounced limp.

"When I found out about this device and he tried it and could walk without the brace I almost cried. It was like a dream," says his mother Carmen deLaPenha. Carmen works multiple jobs. She'd like to buy the device for her son, but insurance won't cover the $6,200 cost.

Thankfully Roland and local businesses like Beef O'Brady's have stepped in to help. "We've put together a grass roots effort with some businesses in the community, and those at Frank Brown Park, and our students to raise some money to offset the cost of the device. It's expensive on one hand but when you look at the benefits, it's well worth the money," says Roland.

Carmen also posts updates on the web. "I started to write a blog, with that and with the help of Roland we got a lot of people involved. And now we have half of the money to buy the device." Doctors say it's possible regular use of the Bioness L300 could train Gui's muscles to work without it. Gui is determined to make it happen. "It took nine years to get the foot to do this, I believe in nine years it'll be lifting by itself I think."
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If you would like to help purchase the Bioness L300 for Gui, click on Carmen's blog: http://walkingwithgui.blogspot.com