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  • 🦾 Exoskeleton Offers Mobility to Downingtown Athlete | 🏈 Chesco Teams Fall in Weekend Semifinals | 📈 Caln Township 2026 Budget

🦾 Exoskeleton Offers Mobility to Downingtown Athlete | 🏈 Chesco Teams Fall in Weekend Semifinals | 📈 Caln Township 2026 Budget

Downingtown Local Pulse Nov 17th, 2025

Author

Chesco Sean
17 Nov

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In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse…

Robotic Exoskeleton Offers New Mobility to Downingtown Athlete Told He Would Never Walk

Matt Helm, Downingtown Entrepreneur and Athlete, Testing His New Exoskeleton

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Matt Helm, owner of Stand Strong Training Center and athlete, is making strides toward mobility with robotic exoskeleton technology, nearly 11 years after a kayaking accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Helm recently graduated from training at Moss Magee Rehabilitation and brought home an Ekso Indego Personal exoskeleton, a wearable robotic device that helps people with lower-limb paralysis stand and walk. The achievement represents the latest chapter in a recovery journey that began when he refused to accept a medical diagnosis that he would remain wheelchair-bound for life.

The exoskeleton allows Helm to take supported steps, and while his movements still require assistance, they represent measurable progress toward independent mobility.

Chester County Playoff Run Ends: Bishop Shanahan, Coatesville Fall in Weekend Semifinals


DOWNINGTOWN, PA — North Pocono defeated Bishop Shanahan 40-36 in a District 1 4A playoff thriller that featured five lead changes in the fourth quarter. Seamus Maguire's strip sack of quarterback Anthony Aquila with under a minute remaining sealed the victory for the District 2 champions. The Trojans overcame a bus mishap that added time to their two-hour trip and took control early with a 68-yard opening drive.

In other playoff action, Pennridge eliminated Coatesville 17-14 to reach the District 1 6A final.

Residents Invited to Review Caln Township's Proposed 2026 Budget

CALN TWP — Caln Township has released its proposed 2026 budget for public review ahead of a December 11 vote by the Board of Commissioners. The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the township municipal building in Thorndale. Residents have several weeks to examine the budget before commissioners make their final decision on the spending plan. See the budget presentation and full budget here.

Good 2 Know in Chester County | Ep 14 | Vanguard Lending

WEST CHESTER, PA — Jenny Leigh sits down with Vanguard Lending’s Jason Fallon and Jason Stevenson to demystify mortgages for first-time buyers, self-employed clients, and investors. From bank-statement loans to equity strategies, learn why now can still be the right time—and how a 15-minute plan call can save months of frustration.

Check out some special offers in time for the holidays!


Upcoming local events…

Chester County Networking Happy Hour (Exton) - Nov 18, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Craft & Mercantile Holiday Market (Eagleview TC) - Nov 21, 4:30pm-8pm

Downingtown West Indoor Percussion Craft Fair (Downingtown) - Nov 22nd, 11am-4pm

Chester County Networking Monthly West Chester Happy Hour (West Chester) - Nov 22nd, 5pm-7pm

WC Turkey Trot 2025 (West Chester) - Nov 27, 8am

East Brandywine Tree Lighting (East Brandywine) - Nov 29, 3pm-5pm

Downingtown Christmas Tree Lighting (Downingtown) - Nov 29, 6pm-7:30pm

Coatesville Christmas Parade (Coatesville) - Dec 6th, 10am-2pm

Caln Township Tree Lighting (Thorndale) - Dec 7th, 5pm

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