# @reeseketler on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd5Cpl4suPM
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70992619-reeseketler-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7ff811677b.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-30T00:26:21.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** R E E S E     K E T L E R (@reeseketler) — https://gondola.cc/reeseketler

## Caption

Today I used functional electrical stimulation (FES), which uses small electrical impulses to activate the nerves and muscles in my legs. Because of my spinal cord injury, my brain isn’t currently able to voluntarily send the signals needed to move my legs, so the stimulation creates that movement for me.

Watching my legs move after six years of being completely still was honestly such an emotional experience. 🥹

And this isn’t just about seeing my legs move. FES can be used as a form of exercise and rehabilitation for people with paralysis. By repeatedly activating muscles that otherwise aren’t being used, it can help with things like maintaining muscle mass and strength, improving circulation, supporting cardiovascular fitness, and helping maintain bone health. Researchers are also studying how combining electrical stimulation with repetitive movement and rehabilitation may contribute to longer-term functional improvements.

So no, this video doesn’t mean I can suddenly move my legs or walk again. The movement you’re seeing is coming from the electrical stimulation.

But after six years, seeing my legs move again feels pretty damn incredible. ❤️

It’s a reminder that even when my body can’t do something voluntarily right now, there are still ways to activate those muscles and keep working toward what might be possible in the future.

And who knows what the future holds. I’m going to keep working, keep learning, and keep giving my body every opportunity to improve.

I’ll be posting a video tomorrow talking more about the study behind this and what researchers are learning about FES and spinal cord injury, so stay tuned ❤️😁

#ketlerstrong #spinalcordinjury #explore

## Stats

- **Views:** 99,200
- **Likes:** 8,544
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- **Comments:** 287

## Tags

ketlerstrong, spinalcordinjury, explore

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