The Arizona Republic featured six-time Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken-Rouen in its “Amazing Arizonans” series for her progress in her neuro-rehabilitation at Barrow and for serving as an inspiration to other paraplegics.

Since an ATV accident left her paralyzed from the waist down in 2014, the former competitive swimmer has reached significant milestones in her spinal cord rehabilitation with physical therapist Al Biemond.

Although she had to put her physical therapy on hold for about two and a half months while she traveled for speaking engagements, she kept up with her exercises during her absence.

When Van Dyken-Rouen returned to Barrow, she took her first steps without the support of braces around her core.

Read the full story here: Amazing Arizonans: Amy Van Dyken-Rouen, from Olympian to paraplegic to inspiration