It’s been almost one year to the day since promising triathlete Alexa Leary was left fighting for life after a horror bike crash, but the inspirational Queenslander has revealed her remarkable recovery is pointing to one big goal: gold at the Paralympics.
Leary, who is better know to her friends as Lex, was one of Australia’s most promising up-and-coming triathletes, and represented the country at world titles, had a horrendous crash while training on July 17 last year.
She had clipped the bike in front of her while travelling at over 65km/hr down a hill, leaving her with a life-threatening brain injury, blood clots, a collapsed lung and numerous broke bones.
At the time, the then 19-year-old was not expected to survive, but through incredible perseverance, strength and bravery, Leary has managed to inspire footy stars, Olympians and regular Aussie through her ‘Moveforlex’ Instagram movement.
Alexa Leary is lucky to be alive after a horror cycling crash almost exactly one year ago
Leary running on the beach before the accident, which happened when she was 19 years old
Now, she has her sights set on the Paralympics.
‘I’ll be moving to the Gold Coast soon to be with my coach and I’m going to push myself as I want to win gold for Australia at the Paralympics,’ Leary told News Corp.
Though she may never regain full mobility, her recovery from the brink of death has been so remarkable, she was selected in Swimming Australia’s Para National Development squad.
Alexa Leary was an avid bike rider as part of her triathlon preparations
Earlier in her recovery, doctors discovered a series of blood clots on her brain and her family were told Ms Leary suffered major brain damage in the fall.
Leary suffered a broken scapula, ribs, shoulder blade and wrist, along with a collapsed lung, in the crash.
She started competing in junior triathlons from the age of six.
Leary getting ready for an open water swim before her horrific crash a year ago
At the time, her father Russell recalled the horrifying moment he saw his daughter lying in a gutter.
‘I always follow behind the team when Alexa is training of a morning and as I came over the hill an ambulance raced by me,’ he told the Courier Mail.
‘I then saw Alexa lying in the gutter and was told she had clipped the wheel of another rider causing her to fall.
‘They transferred her straight to Brisbane and she has already had an operation to repair major knee damage while they also took half of her scalp off to release pressure on the brain,’ said Russell.
Alexa Leary showed huge determination during her recovery both in and out of hospital
Transferring from a triathlete to a swimmer might seem like a logical move; but competing in long-form open water swimming followed by a long bike and run leg means the transition is far from easy.
Never mind that, though, because Leary competed at the Para National Titles in April and managed to secure a bronze medal to go along with a number of other impressive results.
Leary with parents Russell and Belinda at the Para National Titles in Adelaide during April
It’s a transition made all the more difficult by the fact Leary still suffers from issues with her memory – it truly is a remarkable result.
‘With her brain injury, she does forget; so I had to drill her re: how many laps, dolphin kicks etc. and she got it right,’ her father Russell said in a post on the ‘Moveforlex’ Instagram.
‘As parents, we were so proud to think her competitors trained hard all year, and she has the five months in hospital and hasn’t done a real lot of training.’
Alexa Leary in hospital with her parents Russell and Belinda after the accident
A nationals bronze medal isn’t the only achievement in her remarkable 12-month recovery thus far.
Leary was announced as Australia’s Most Inspirational F45 (gym franchise) trainer and helped to raise almost $200,000 for the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (where she was taken after her accident).
Alexa Leary accepts the awards for Most Inspirational F45 trainer earlier in the year
Let’s not forget the countless amount of people has inspired with her Moveforlex account, which has over 135,000 followers and encourages people to ‘get out, get moving for those you can’t.’
Recently she helped to hold the first ‘Moveforlex’ Inspiration luncheon, which featured star BMX rider Kai Sakakibara, who also had a horrendous bike crash that left him fighting for life.
Alexa Leary (right) with star Aussie BMX rider Kai Sakakibara at a Moveforlex luncheon
Her inspirational journey has attracted the attention of Olympian, and NBA, star Joe Ingles has donated a jersey for the cause, while legendary cyclist Robbie McEwen often comments messages of support.
Footy stars such as Patrick Dangerfield, Brent Staker, Mat Rogers, Johnathan Thurston, Daisy Pearce and Brianna Davey have also been followers of the account.
You’d be a brave person to bet against Alexa Leary securing a Paralympic gold medal.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk