Amy Van Dyken became an American swimming hero in the late '90s after rising to fame during the 1996 Summer Olympics.
She was the first woman to win four gold medals in a single Olympic Games. Her wins that summer, along with her wins at the 2000 Summer Olympics, earned her many awards and accolades, including ESPN's Woman of the Year award, USA Swimmer of the Year, and an induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Due to several injuries between both games, Amy retired after her 2000 wins. She became a sports radio host in Arizona, even working with the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.
In 2014, Amy was in a near-fatal ATV accident, in which her spinal cord was severed and she was paralyzed from the waist down. In one of Oprah's many famous "Oprah Where Are They Now?" specials, this former Olympian proves her strength wasn't just in a swimming pool.
She was told that she'd never walk again. Yet, after tireless months of working at it at the Barrow Neurological Institute, Amy has taken her first steps. She believes her accident happened for a reason, and that she is a better person now because of it.
Olympians are such inspiring, strong people, just like this group who thanked their mothers for all their help. Just watch Amy's incredible journey in the video below!
Don't forget to SHARE Amy's amazing strength and courage with all of your friends and family!
