Olympic Swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen was partially paralyzed after a tragic accident while riding an ATV on June 6 of this year. Though she has been visibly upbeat and incredibly positive throughout the ordeal, it has doubtless been a trying and emotional couple of months. It must have been equally emotional, then, when she was able to walk today, with the aid of a walker and some sort of bionic device that acted as a brace for Amy to get around on her own. Van Dyken-Rouen has shown that she's a fighter her whole career, but now she's (literally) a walking miracle.
Just a few days ago, Amy posted an open letter thanking her friends, family, fans and medical personnel who have helped her get through this trying time. Among the people she thanked Dr. Luis Manuel Tumialan, the surgeon who operated on her after the accident (via Today):
"I can't thank him and his surgical staff enough for performing the seven-hour operation that saved my life. In that time, there was a critical care waiting room that was filled, and actually overflowed with friends and family who had heard about my accident and rushed to be by my side. I love them all, and am so thankful they were there for my parents, brother, sister and my amazing husband."
Now, Van Dyken is getting around on her own, an incredible feat just two months after almost dying (via USA Today):
"On Thursday, with the help of a walker and what appears to a bionic device that aids her legs, she did just that. It's been just two and a half months since the accident... It is a stunning recovery in a very short amount of time."
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