OC Innovation Summit explores new rehab options for veterans

LAKE FOREST, Calif (KABC) -- When Army veteran Gary Linfoot returned from his 19th deployment to Iraq in 2008, he came back without the use of his legs. A helicopter accident broke his back, paralyzing him below the waist, and confining him to a wheelchair.

Doctors told him walking again was out of the question. At least it was, until he received an exoskeleton. Now, with the help of his wife and some cutting edge technology, he's taken more than 100,000 steps.

"Wow, I just stood up for the first time in four years, something I thought there was a good chance that I'd never do again," he said.

Linfoot received the exoskeleton through a grant from the Infinite Hero Foundation. The group and its sponsor Oakley are working to speed up the mental and physical recovery for returning military veterans.

"They are the most humble people you'll ever meet, and they would be the last people to ask for help, I feel like it's our obligation to do this work," said Colin Baden, foundation president.

The foundation is holding its inaugural Innovation Summit to look at new advances in medicine and technology, and how it can help veterans with physical, emotional and psychological stress.

One of those ways is through music.

"It's been known for a lot of different reasons to bring out cognitive rehabilitation," said Paul Delacerda of Vetted Band.

No matter how technology changes, the mission of the Infinite Hero Foundation stays the same.

"Giving them hope for a future that maybe they weren't able to envision for themselves," said Linfoot.

Infinite Hero will announce nearly $800,000 in new grants for programs in 2014, appropriately on Veteran's Day.