BMX champ Sam Willougby drawing inspiration from Paralympians as he continues recovery from broken neck

INJURED BMX racer Sam Willoughby is being inspired by Paralympians as he completes two full weeks of rehabilitation in a bid to one day walk again.

An image of Sam Willougby in rehab from his road2recovery website.

INJURED BMX racer Sam Willoughby is being inspired by Paralympians as he completes two full weeks of rehabilitation in a bid to one day walk again.

The Olympic silver medallist was left with no movement from his chest down after a training accident in the US last month and required extensive surgery on his vertebrae.

He was later moved from hospital to a spinal cord rehabilitation centre in Colorado where he has been on a bike, in a pool and used a standing frame to be put in an upright position.

His fiancee, Alise Post, who won a silver medal for the US at the Rio Olympics in August, said Willoughby was impressing the rehabilitation centre staff with his attitude.

“All the staff love him here, because, as you can imagine, his work ethic, motivation and intensity have made quite the impression on those around him,” Post said.

An image of Sam Willougby in rehab from his road2recovery website.

“I can honestly say he’s probably working harder than he ever has before, which is pretty impressive as we all know how intense he already was with his day to day training.

“Some highlights from his therapy thus far include meeting a three-time Paralympic rugby medallist who shared his story with a group of young men like Sam.

“It’s amazing how many Paralympic athletes we are always surrounded and inspired by at the Olympic Training Centre, but now we can gain even that much more respect for the path they’ve had to endure to get where they are.

"I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of… https://t.co/AISPs3MZX7

— Alise Post (@alisepost11) October 11, 2016

“They are truly incredibly strong people with great life lessons to share.”

According to Post, a specialised bike has helped to stimulate Willoughby’s legs in a pedalling motion that has been so familiar to him during his BMX career.

“Some other highlights include getting in the pool for the first time and getting stood up in a special standing frame they use to reacclimatise people to an upright position,” Post said.

Originally published as BMX champ Sam Willougby drawing inspiration from Paralympians as he continues recovery from broken neck