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Paralyzed Grad Walks in Robot Suit
15 May
Summary
- Jaiden Picot, paralyzed in 2024, used a robotic exoskeleton to walk.
- He completed his master's degree at Virginia Union University in Spring 2025.
- Picot aims to improve accessibility for wheelchair users in public spaces.
Jaiden Picot, who sustained paralysis in 2024 following a truck collision, recently achieved a significant milestone by walking across his graduation stage at Virginia Union University (VUU) utilizing a robotic exoskeleton.
Picot, 23, was paralyzed from the chest down in August 2024 due to a spinal cord injury. He successfully completed his bachelor's degree at VUU in Spring 2025 and subsequently earned an executive master's in business administration.
During his commencement ceremony on May 9, Picot, with the assistance of his therapists, donned a robotic exoskeleton, famously likening it to a 'Transformers suit,' to walk to receive his degree.
Motivated by his personal experiences with accessibility barriers, Picot intends to dedicate his professional career to advocating for and improving public spaces for individuals who use wheelchairs.
He plans to engage with civic leaders to address accessibility issues and is also seeking financial support for an accessible van to aid his daily activities.
