Bear Down Wildcats

http://azstarnet.com/sports/former-ua-a ... f887a.html

Six-time Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken severed her spine in an all-terrain vehicle accident over the weekend, and told emergency workers she could not move her toes or feel anything touching her legs.

Damn . . .

Holding out hope for a full recovery. Bear Down Amy!

Hopefully one of the MDs can respond, but fairly sure once the spine is severed (instead of bruised) there is no chance for recovery. She will be in a wheelchair for life unless a miracle happens with modern medicine and reconnection of the spinal cord.

I don't know all the details, but from what has been written in the press, she is extremely unlikely to recover significant lower extremity function.

Horrible

Sad to hear.

Life's tougher on some. All the best to her going forward.

Wonder if we'll ever see her on the AZ Pain Center commercials again?

Nice to see she has a positive attitude.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/lo ... in-arizona

There has been a lot of progress recently in repairing spinal cord injuries. I wouldn't assume she will never walk again.

CryptoCat wrote:There has been a lot of progress recently in repairing spinal cord injuries. I wouldn't assume she will never walk again.

As far as I know the advances have been to injuries where the spinal cord is still connected. Hers was completely severed.

Saw that on TV this morning - pretty amazing.

Can one of the board docs explain how the device works?

Wow, that's incredible. I really didn't think she would ever be able to walk again.

Not a doctor, but she is just strapped to robotic legs which moves her legs for her. Not really practical in its current version outside of the studio. She was no doubt back in her wheelchair after the show.

The accident was only 11 weeks ago:

[youtube]AE6LYegnlSQ[/youtube]

Here is a pretty good article about it: http://deadspin.com/paralyzed-olympian- ... 1625207939