Five years ago, Amy Van Dyken-Rouen’s world changed forever.
An ATV accident left her paralyzed from the waist down after a devastating spinal injury.
But instead of allowing it ruin her life, the six-time Olympic champion was determined to move forward from the traumatic event and help inspire others along the way.
“It has been so important. I think it actually saved my life,” Van Dyken-Rouen told Swimming World. “Otherwise, you go into a dark place. I hate to say that, but it is true and it happens. It definitely could have been worse.
“It is amazing, the support everyone has shown me. I think my purpose is to teach people, raise awareness and help people who are disabled.”
A couple of weeks ago, Van Dyken-Rouen finished second in the inaugural WheelWOD (Workout of the Day) Open, a CrossFit event where only 12 athletes compete on the world stage.
“It was the international competition for disabled athletes,” she said. “In order to get there, you have to do the open and get top 12. I am considered the second-fittest seated female athlete on the planet — which is pretty big.”
Van Dyken-Rouen works out and competes while also co-hosting some USA Swimming shows and commentating for the Pac-12 Network.
Photo Courtesy: Dan D’Addona
“I love being a part of sports that way,” she said. “I do a lot of speaking engagements and have my non-profit organization. I like to stay busy. When I am not commentating on swimming, I am definitely keeping up with it.”
Five years ago, she was simply fighting for her life after the ATV accident.
“I had broken so many vertebrae, they didn’t want me to lose any more function,” she said. “I had such a traumatic brain injury. When my husband got me breathing again, I was convulsing and my eyes went two different directions for about eight minutes.”
Getting into shape and competing, even with herself was huge for Van Dyken-Rouen. It has allowed her to do day-to-day things that she once took for granted.
“I got injured and I couldn’t pick things up off the floor because I couldn’t,” she said. “I didn’t have the strength. Now I can do it. It has given me the ability when I am in an airplane and need to get my overhead back, I can do a pull-up to get my bag — which is really fun.”
It was a long road to get to this point.
“I had to relearn how to live. How to clean your house, cook, dress yourself, shower, how to use the ladies room. It has been a lot of learning experiences — how to travel because I travel a lot,” Amy Van Dyken-Rouen said. “Learning how to drive.”
It is all a change.
So is the way people interact with Van Dyken-Rouen, who is training for more competitions that begin in a few weeks.
“Before it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, six gold medals, let me touch you,” she said. “Now people tell me they are doing CrossFit or getting in shape because they have seen me do it. It is awesome.”
Wish you all the best – your a champion in every way
Great job commentating for Nationals. You are a true inspiration.
You are an inspiration. My heart condition indicated I could walk from my car to my office in the morning and back to the car at the end of the day. I can now walk 30 minutes. I so admire your courage! Breathe and appreciate. Is my motto. Smile! I’ll smile with you!