Alexa Leary qualifies for the Paralympics three years after horror bike crash
Doctors thought she may never walk again after a crash which nearly claimed her life. Now Queensland’s new golden girl has qualified for the biggest sporting event on the planet.
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Doctors thought she may never walk again after a tragic incident which nearly claimed her life. Now Queensland’s new golden girl has qualified for the biggest sporting event on the planet.
In July 2021 Alexa Leary fell from her bike during a training session for a triathlon on the Sunshine Coast.
She was riding at 70km/h when her front wheel clipped the bike in front of her.
Leary landed on her head, sustaining several broken bones, a punctured lung and a shattered leg.
She spent six months in hospital and doctors doubted whether she would survive, let alone walk or talk again.
Part of her skull was removed as part of life saving surgery.
She lives with permanent brain damage and weakness down the right side of her body as a result of the incident.
Not only did Leary survive, but she has continued to defy the odds and channelled her indisputable natural athleticism into swimming.
Leary, known as Lex by her family and followers of her Instagram page ‘Move For Lex”, couldn’t move her right hand at all at the start.
Or her right leg. Or recognise a fork. Or pick it up. Or walk. Or talk.
Now she’s off to Paris.
“She’s only been back in the pool just over two years,” her devoted father Russell Leary said after his daughter qualified for the Paralympics.
“She swam up a grade yesterday … so that’s a big thing for her to win that in an S10 category when she’s usually in S9.
“It’s all surreal … it’s like we’ve been in a movie since the day of the accident.
“It’s inspirational for everybody in the world to see what you can do.
“I’ve been crying for three years.
“She still has brain damage and we’ve still got a lot to deal with.”
Three years ago a recovering Lex, who had just returned home, told this publication “I’m starting swimming training on Monday … I’m pretty determined.”
And determined she was.
The S9 100m freestyle world champion qualified for the 50m freestyle with a time of 27.89 in Brisbane on Tuesday, and you couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.
S10 is for swimmers with movement affected at a low level in the legs, moderately in the hip joint or feet, to a high degree in one foot, or minor limb absence. These swimmers have to correct minor instability within their stroke pattern.
“I’ve actually come so far,” Leary told Nine.
“I’m so impressed I am even in the water. I’m like yeah Lex, like you’ve come so far.”
As the realisation set in she had qualified for the Paralympics in Paris, she said: “I’m so excited. I’m like, it’s the crepes for me!”
Her father said he couldn’t wait to see what’s next and hopes she can continue to defy the odds as an inspiration to all Aussies.
“She’ll now settle into training for Paris … that’s the big focus now. They’ll take her over early to train. Let’s see what she can do in Paris,” he said.
“S10 will be tough. Her feature race is 100m and she’s currently the world record holder so hopefully she can go well at the Olympics.
“We reckon she’s already won gold. She’s a machine. She’s trained hard, she’s got a great coach, John Bell, and he’s just incredible. He doesn’t just coach her in the pool he coaches her in every aspect of her life … he’s like her life coach.
“Two years ago her brain damage was bad but now her brain is starting to function better. (She has) more understanding and she listens more.
“The support of the Australian public has been incredible … it’s what’s gotten her and us through this.”
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Originally published as Alexa Leary qualifies for the Paralympics three years after horror bike crash
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