A man from Ipswich has shared his experience of using a piece of equipment which helped him walk unassisted for the first time in years, with the hopes of being able to buy the life-changing suit.
Rory Marriott was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nine years ago and has been unable to walk unassisted since pre-Covid times.
That is until the 55-year-old used a Mollii Suit, which is a piece of clothing which can help people with MS stand, balance and walk unassisted.
He first tried this suit out on March 22 in Huntingdon, and within 20 minutes of wearing the suit, he was able to lift his foot for the "first time in ages."
Mr Marriott said: "20 hours after I had taken the suit off, I found it was much easier for me to stand up and I wasn't losing my balance.
"I pushed my rollator away from me and took four slow, unassisted steps.
"I honestly cannot recall the last time I walked unassisted because normally I need to use furniture or walls to help me move around in my home.
"I replicated myself walking unassisted again but this time with my wife Hilary watching me.
"I pushed my rollator as far away from me as if I had accidentally done it, and she said 'let me get that for you'.
"I said 'no it's ok, I'll get it'.
"I took only five or six steps, but those steps were life-changing for me, and the power of that just brought us both to tears."
Mr Marriott, who is big in the Suffolk parkrun scene, having been one of the creators of the Ipswich parkrun and others around the county, said that it is the first time that there has been something to aid people with MS.
The suit is to be worn for 60 minutes every other day, with the benefits lasting up to 48 hours after every use.
The suits, however, do come at a cost, being priced at £500 a month to rent, or £5,000 to buy.
This has led to a GoFundMe page being set up to help raise funds to buy Mr Marriott the suit.
Rory's wife, Hilary, set up the fundraiser. She said: "I met Rory after he was diagnosed in 2014, so I have seen the progression over the time we've been together.
"This suit is absolutely amazing, enables Rory to do things he hasn't been able to do in years.
"I thought we have to try and get one of these suits, which spurred me on to create the fundraising page."
The page was set up just over two weeks ago, and they have already raised over £1,500, enough to be able to rent a suit for three months.
Mr Marriott said: "The amount raised is already beyond what I imagined would happen.
"The impact of what the Mollii Suit could do to me, and how much sooner it could happen to me, is amazing.
"Having been in a position whereby I am spending most of my time in a wheelchair or using someone to help me get around, it fills me with great realism that, whilst things will still be difficult, this is the first time that there's an option where life might get easier."
Rory is currently on a waiting list for a suit to become available, which they will then hire on a three-month trial basis before going on to potentially purchase one of the suits.
To support Rory, click here, and to read more on his MS and Mollii Suit experience, click here.
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