Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken severs spine in accident

[DrLeftover]

June 9, 2014

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Six-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer 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.

The 46-year-old swimmer, who goes by her married name Van Dyken Rouen, was injured Friday. She was airlifted to a hospital and had surgery to stabilize her spine.

Hospital spokeswoman Alice Giedraitis didn't provide details Monday on Rouen's injuries. She said the swimmer was in good condition.

A letter from the Van Dyken and Rouen families said she severed her spinal cord at the T11 vertebrae and that the broken vertebrae came within millimeters of rupturing her aorta.

A report by the Show Low Police Department said the ATV that Rouen was driving hit a curb in a restaurant parking lot and sent her over a drop-off between 5 to 7 feet.

Rouen was found lying on the ground next to the ATV. She was strapped to a backboard and airlifted to Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/olympic-gold-medalist-amy-van-dyken-severs-spine-in-accident/

 

[DrLeftover]

More:

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/06/09/six-time-olympic-gold-medalist-swimmer-amy-van-dyken-severs-spine-in-accident/


USA Swimming:
http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en&ItemId=6123&mid=12660

 

[Jazzy]

No doubt this spinal cord injury is going to result in paraplegia. Scary how an accident can change your life forever.