Paralympian regains use of legs

A Paralympic cyclist from the Netherlands is turning her sights to the 2016 Olympics after a bike crash gave her back the use of her legs.

According to an article in the Daily Mail, Monique van der Vorst, 27, was paralyzed from the waist down. She has represented the Netherlands at the Paralympic Games and won two silver medals. But that’s not the most amazing part.

Last year, van der Vorst was knocked off her bike after a collision with another rider. Her feet started to tingle, and months later, she was able to walk again. She started cycling, and is now one of 11 women on a top professional cycling team. She’s aiming to compete in the 2016 Olympics.

Van der Vorst has even run road races this year.

When van der Vorst was 13, and had just taking up cycling, an ankle operation resulted in nerve damage and left one leg paralyzed from the hip down. In 2008, she was hit by a car, which left her completely paralyzed.

As a hand-cyclist, she won six European and three world titles.