Olympic swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is in rehab after an ATV accident severed her spinal cord about three weeks ago. Van Dyken-Rouen was near death as she entered surgery yet now, though paralyzed, she is not only alive but fighting to regain whatever function she can in physical therapy.
After being found by her husband Amy was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and the doctors feared the worst. They even told Amy and her husband to "say their goodbyes" (via CNN).
Since her surgery Van Dyken-Rouen has spent a lot of time cracking jokes on Twitter and talking to the press. No doubt her positivity has been a helpful tool in dealing with a very scary situation (via LA Times):
"'We don't know what's going to happen,' she told reporters before boarding a plane for Colorado. 'I have no feeling from probably my pubic bone down.' "
While it's easy to imagine someone's spirit being crushed by something like this her bravery and strength are getting her through this:
"'She's not smiling because this is easy, she's smiling because she's Amy Van Dyken-Rouen,' said Dr. Luis Manuel Tumialan."
One person who has been touched personally by this story is fellow Colorado swimmer Missy Franklin who has idolized Van Dyken-Rouen for years (via Mercury News):
"News of the swimmer's accident broke Franklin's heart but 'hearing about also how lighthearted she's been and how she's still herself through the whole process doesn't surprise me at all,' Franklin said. 'It's so special and inspiring to hear someone who's been through an accident like that still be able to stay true to herself.' "
Van Dyken-Rouen has repeatedly expressed her gratitude for all the prayers and support from friends and fans on social media.
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