Lisa, I don't know how the balancing works. I did see some video of some of the early suits and the wearers were falling down a lot so somehow they have solved it. I know what you mean about balance problems preceding strength problems - I had the same - but I suspect that the balance problems stem from small muscle weakness that has more affect on balance early on than does major muscle weakness; this is only my hypothesis. Last spring, my physio couldn't understand why I couldn't walk when she tested the pushing strength in my legs but then realized the problem when she determined my adductor muscles were very weak. I believe these provide lateral support but you probably know all about this anyway.

Here's an update on the status of the suits. They sound at least a year behind their predictions of last year when they told me they expected to have widespread availability in Japan in 2006 and in Europe in 2007.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/29/h...ss-production/