Success Story

USAF Captain Nathan Nelson, Robert Irvine Foundation iBOT Recipient

When Nathan deployed to Afghanistan, his wife Jennifer was pregnant with their first child—a baby girl. Just two months into deployment, a rocket struck his base and exploded just three feet away, sending shrapnel from his back to his ankle. Though severely wounded, Nathan remained conscious and was airlifted out. One of his last memories was telling the medic, “My feet don’t feel right.”

Weeks later, Nathan woke up at Walter Reed. The blast had shattered his T1 and T2 vertebrae, and he learned he was a C7 quadriplegic. As he processed the severity of his injuries, the most painful realization was that he had nearly missed the chance to meet his daughter and grow old with Jennifer.

Life in a wheelchair is more complex than people realize. It affects your sense of identity, how you relate to others, and your ability to live freely. That changed with the iBOT. Unlike any other device, the iBOT gave Nathan access back to his yard, his children, and his community.

Before the iBOT, uneven ground and stairs were major obstacles. Now, Nathan plays in the yard with his kids, navigates curbs, and participates more fully in life. Jennifer shared, “Once Nathan got the iBOT, he had a renewed sense of purpose and a quality of life he otherwise wouldn’t have. It opened doors to a future that feels much brighter.”

The iBOT gave Nathan more independence than he ever imagined and with it, the power to be a father, husband, and role model once again.

The Nelson family is forever grateful to the supporters of the Robert Irvine Foundation for providing this life-changing gift.