Motocross rider determined to get back on her bike after being left paraplegic in horror crash

A TRAILBLAZING female motocross rider Christina Vithoulkas is determined to keep inspiring women in her sport despite a freak motorbike accident which has left her unable to walk.

Christina Vithoulkas was in a motocross accident that left her a paraplegic, but she is determined to walk again.

A TRAILBLAZING female motocross rider is determined to keep inspiring young women in her sport despite a freak motorbike accident which has left her unable to walk.

Christina Vithoulkas says if she can one day teach herself to use her legs again nothing will stop her getting back on her dirt bike.

It’s been only three weeks since her devastating fall but already the 23-year-old from northern Victoria is focusing on the bright side, even in the face of a future confined to the trackside.

“I feel like it was meant to happen, like I’ve got a more of a purpose in life,” Ms Vithoulkas said.

Christina during a motocross event.

Christina is with her fiance James just after her accident.

“I’ve had people message me to say how much I’ve inspired them to keep positive — I feel honoured to be able to do that.”

Ms Vithoulkas only learned to ride five years ago, but it soon became her passion and she has dedicated all her spare time to the sport in the hope of making it her full-time career.

Every night she would race home from her work at a Shepparton traffic management company, and spend until dark going up ramps and over jumps.

“You feel limitless, so powerful,” she said.

“It made me feel so strong and independent.”

Christina making a jump on her motocross bike.

Her dream was to help set up a women’s freestyle motocross team.

“I just wanted to be that female to show girls can do it too,” Ms Vithoulkas said.

“That’s still not out of the picture.

“I want to be around it, coaching and barracking other girls.”

In early September, Ms Vithoulkas and partner James Wild, 25, were riding high after he popped the question at a party at their home.

Their world was turned upside down just three weeks later during a trip to see relatives in South Australia.

Christina with her fiance James.

An xray showing Christina’s spinal injuries.

The daredevil pair was out riding when Ms Vithoulkas mistimed the landing of a jump.

Mr Wild recalled his partner’s backside “folded like a taco” towards her head as she face-planted into the dirt.

It was a jump she had made “a thousand times” on a similar ramp Mr Wild built for her at their home in Tongala, near Echuca.

But this time something seemed off, and she felt wobbly before being bucked from the bike.

The impact damaged her spleen, caused punctured lungs, broken ribs and a severed spinal cord which has left the young woman a paraplegic.

Mr Wild said he had feared his best friend was dead.

Christina with her twin sister Irene (left), fiance James Wild and mum Maria at the Royal Adelaide Hospital Spinal Unit. Picture: Matt Turner

Now the engaged pair is cherishing every moment together in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, more thankful than ever to have each other.

“The willpower she has got, the strength — I don’t know how she does it,” Mr Wild said.

The couple hopes to be moved to the Austin Hospital in Melbourne so Ms Vithoulkas can be closer to home.

Friends have so far raised more than $85,000 to help with medical bills and the cost of getting equipment for the house, while fellow motorcyclists yesterday held a charity ride from Melbourne to Portarlington.

Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Ms Vithoulkas said she hoped to show other people nothing should hold them back from enjoying their life.

“I tell myself everything seems impossible until it’s done,” she said.

To donate to the fundraiser, visit the Go Fund Me page.

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@AndieHamblin