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ORLANDO- Michelle Konkoly fell five stories from her dorm window at Georgetown in 2011 and landed feet first. She broke her back and shattered several bones. She was paralyzed for six months, but was always hopeful she would get back to her aquatic home. During rehab, Konkoly took comfort in the water-“swimming helped me feel like a normal person” after the accident, she said. Read more of Michelle’s story on teamusa.org.
She is now swimming faster than any other U.S. Paralympian in the S-9 class. This morning she set the Paralympic American record in the 100 free with a 1:03.25. Here she speaks to SW about the accident and her emergence as a Paralympic star.