The young triathlete inspiring a movement revolution as she continues an against-all-odds comeback from a life-threatening crash has delivered another “miracle”.
Noosa’s Alexa Leary, who recently turned 20, is now 94 days into her recovery after a July 17 fall from her bike at Pomona.
The accident caused a traumatic brain injury and left her with significant memory loss and reduced mobility on her right side.
Family members and friends launched the #moveforlex campaign on Instagram to help her regain memories and movement.
The initiative, which already has attracted an incredible 124,000 followers, also inspires others to “get out, get moving and do it for those who can’t’’.
A moveforlex.com fundraising campaign, which will target enhanced care at the RBWH Neurosurgery Ward with a focus on equipment and family support, has raised almost $125,000 to date.
Lex is currently in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, but was allowed to return home to Noosa for two nights, which her family described as “a miracle”.
Her father Russell said the weekend stood out at as the biggest occasion in his life and that of his family.
“We all have occasions that stand clear in our minds. This is the biggest for us as 92 days prior we lived through two weeks of not knowing whether Lex would live or not,” he said.
“Then we were told she would never walk or talk again, have a poor quality of life and spend a year in hospital.
“For us to pick her up and take her home for two nights was a true miracle.”
Russell said that as they drove through Noosaville, Lex was able to spot her Good Shepherd school, then picked out the street in which they lived.
“Pulling up in the driveway, the song she sings, The Climb, comes on and the tears flowed,” he said.
“A few friends and family were there to welcome her and she was so excited, as they were.
“During the day, things started to come back in her mind and she looked so at ease and happy. (She) even had the eyebrows waxed and tinted by Emily at Noosa Brow.”
Russell said it had been an amazing weekend and Lex had not wanted to return to hospital, but understood it was all part of the journey.
He said he was confident a strong positive mental attitude, love and support would create more miracles than any “wonder” drug.
The links between the use of social media and Lex’s recovery continue to astound health experts, who are looking at how it might be more widely adopted, as reported by Sunshine Coast News.
Alexa, a rising star of triathlon and an Australian representative before her accident, is most enjoying posts with music.
Her favourite songs have been The Climb by Miley Cyrus, and Verge by Owl City, featuring Aloe Blacc.
She has received messages of hope from a range of celebrities.
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