Groundbreaking technology allows paraplegic man to walk again

"Even for myself, it's still strange to really think about it, and especially to think what it looks from the outside," he told 60 Minutes from his wheelchair.

"It's when you see how the people around you react, and what it does to them."

"They're really surprised, because it's not an everyday thing to see someone in a wheelchair stand up and walk."

David is from Switzerland, but he's become quite the global medical marvel.

An electrical implant at the base of his damaged spinal cord sends pulses to his leg muscles, effectively waking them up and allowing David to walk.

Sensors are attached to his shins, and it's all controlled by a computer tablet.

It's a remarkable leap forward for science, and on his first visit to Australia this month, it was quite the spectacle.

In Adelaide, as ambassador for the worldwide Red Bull Wings for Life charity run, David set a personal goal to walk for 32 minutes non-stop.

But on May 5, hundreds of fellow participants watched on in awe as David walked an incredible 620 metres.

He didn't stop for an hour and eleven minutes.

When he finally did, he told us he was determined to make people proud.

"Knowing that there are people all around the world doing the same, talking to my mum every now and then, and looking up at the sky and visualising all the people who brought me here," David said.

"It's just amazing that people who I've never seen before are supporting me, they know my name."

"Let me support them. Go Adelaide! Let's go!"

As part of his visit to Australia, David has also met with spinal cord researchers.

He and science can't yet explain how exactly, but he's even been able to manage slight movements in his legs without the help of the electrical pulses.

And while David is conscious of not giving false hope, he dreams of a total cure for spinal cord injuries.

"[There's] still a long way to go, but I mean, if you say it's impossible, then that will get me going."