But in the end he had to make do with a surprise visit from Pedro Sánchez. At 12.45pm on Tuesday, surrounded by friends and teachers – including the Prime Minister of Spain – Jorge fulfilled his 12-year-old ambition by standing up, walking with his classmates and playing with them. To do this, Jorge, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was placed in the state-of-the-art exoskeleton that has changed his life in the last two years and could offer millions of children a hitherto unimaginable degree of movement. Jorge’s mother, Eva Munoz-Torrero, said she would never forget the first time she wore the exoskeleton: “She said, ‘You can hold a wheelchair. I have it now and I take it home “. Since then, he has been begging to be able to take the equipment out of the treatment room he visits twice a week and to his school just outside Madrid. On his 12th birthday, Jorge got his wish. As he entered the room where his friends were waiting, he was greeted by cheers, applause and tears glistening in the eyes of a husky, bullet-proof member of the prime minister’s security. Marsi Bionics, the company that designed the exoskeleton, describes the kit as “the only pediatric exoskeleton in the world that allows the child to move freely”, and says that its uniqueness lies in the elastic technology that adapts to the user’s body. The company, which conducted a clinical trial with La Paz Hospital in Madrid and the Spanish National Research Council, says the equipment could help the 17 million children worldwide whose neurological impairments prevent them from walking. “There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a child at school and playing with their friends,” said Elena García Armada, co-founder and CEO. But the huge possibilities offered by the exoskeleton are not cheap. While Jorge’s family has managed to cover the cost of treatment – which can reach 30,000 euros a year – through crowdfunding, not everyone is so lucky. “The exoskeleton is a dream, but it is not right to be available only to families who can organize crowdfunding and a huge investment so that their child can walk,” said Muñoz-Torrero. She would like more families to witness the changes she has seen in her son. Although Jorge never lacked discipline, determination or an unparalleled sense of humor, his exoskeleton gave him and his family a huge boost. “It also really boosts Jorge’s self-esteem,” he said. “He does not want to sit in his chair in a corner. He wants to get involved. “ As soon as the gifts were given, the pinata was looted and the happy birthday was sung, Jorge returned to class in his wheelchair. As the prime minister and his entourage left and the television cameras nodded, Muñoz-Torrero offered a brief summary of the morning’s achievements. “This was a really important step because we showed how important it is to bring technology to people with disabilities,” he said. “But, more personally, this is what Jorge wanted from day one: he wanted to have his friends by his side as he got up and walked. And he fulfilled that dream. “