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Israeli design suits Claire

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A woman who is paralysed from the chest down has completed the Great North Run wearing an Israeli-designed exoskeleton.

Claire Lomas took five days to walk the half marathon in the ReWalk suit, which was created by Israeli entrepreneur Amit Goffer after he was paralysed in a car crash.

The suit senses the user's motion and provides support to allow stronger hip and knee movements.

Mrs Lomas, who is 16 weeks pregnant, told the BBC the 13.1-mile race from Newcastle to South Shields was tougher than previous long-distance walks she had completed.

"It's been the hardest five days. I'm so, so tired. Loads of times, I thought: 'I'm not going to make it.' It was really emotional, and really hard not to start crying.

The 36-year-old sportswoman from Leicestershire had her neck, back and ribs broken and a lung punctured when she was thrown off her horse in racing trials nine years ago.

Last week, ReWalk announced it had made its 100th sale to private customers. The most recent version of the suit, which Mrs Lomas wore, costs £58,000.

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