South Florida

Quadriplegic FIU Student Uses Exoskeleton to Walk Across Stage at Graduation

What to Know

  • Aldo Amenta was one of the thousands of students who took part in the ceremony Sunday on the campus of Florida International University.
  • Amenta was injured in November 2015 accident when he jumped into the shallow end of a swimming pool.

A recent graduate of one South Florida university was able to do something that seemed impossible years ago – to be able to walk across the stage to get his degree with help from an exoskeleton following an accident that left him a quadriplegic.

Aldo Amenta was one of the thousands of students who took part in the ceremony Sunday on the campus of Florida International University, where the 28-year-old received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering to thunderous applause and a standing ovation from fellow students, faculty members and the crowd.

Amenta was injured in November 2015 accident when he jumped into the shallow end of a swimming pool, breaking a vertebrae in his neck and severing his spinal cord. Amenta has spent the last three years in aggressive therapy while taking classes at the school.

Donations and the school’s Ignite Campaign allowed for Amenta’s tuition and other school costs to be paid for, allowing his family to focus solely on paying for his medical bills and therapy.

Amenta said his next goal is to return to school for his master’s degree.

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