Back in 2010, Megan Torio's dreams of becoming a professional fitness model were coming true. She had dropped nearly 100 pounds and even appeared on the cover of a fitness magazine. But on June 2, 2011, Megan's life changed in an instant.
In a violent act of rage, Megan's abusive boyfriend threw her out of a moving truck at 65 mph. The seemingly endless list of injuries was long and severe; she broke her back, spinal cord and collar bone, and her labia was torn off. She was left in a wheelchair, completely paralyzed from the chest down.
Megan was told she would never walk again, which in turn crushed her dreams of becoming a fitness model. Physically and emotionally devastated, she also lost hope in meeting a man who would love her and treat her with respect and kindness. After all, she thought, Who would ever want to date a woman who couldn't walk or have sex?
It's now been five years since Megan's horrific nightmare first began — and when you see her now, I guarantee your jaw will drop.
This is Megan Torio. Though she's only 28 years old, this Jacksonville, Florida native has already endured more pain and hardship than most.
In 2010, Megan had lost 91 pounds, which landed her a cover of the weight loss edition of Oxygen Magazine. In addition, Megan won the Tosca Reno eat-clean diet challenge, which led to another magazine spread and a second feature in Oxygen Magazine. Her dream of becoming a professional fitness model was well on its way to being realized.
But on June 2, 2011, Megan's life completely changed.
Megan's abusive boyfriend threw her from a truck traveling at 65mph.
She broke her spinal cord, shoulder, collar bone and six ribs. Her broken spine was among a raft of horrifying injuries including broken bones and a sliced labia, which left her paralyzed from the chest down. After being thrown from the moving vehicle, Megan struck a road sign, which got caught in between her legs and sliced her labia. As a result, she was unable to have sexual intercourse for a year.
Paralyzed from the chest down, doctors told Megan she would never walk again. She felt hopeless and unlovable.
Megan underwent surgery to insert metal rods into her broken back, and another surgery that reconstructed her sliced labia.
Despite being left paralyzed, Megan started going to the gym again. This was the second time in her life that she faced an obstacle in order to achieve her fitness goals — only this time, doctors said it would be impossible. Eventually, Megan realized the sensation was returning as her muscles strengthened, which only fueled her desire to walk.
Although there was no guarantee Megan would ever walk again, she kept up with extensive physiotherapy and bought a cane to help her recovery. Every day, she worked on standing until she could stay on her feet for two minutes. She then pushed herself to start taking steps.
Megan had all but given up on ever finding love. But in 2011, in the midst of her recovery, she met Rod. "I thought no-one would be interested in me," she said. "I was paraplegic and didn't feel like a woman."
On their second date, Megan was determined to use her cane instead of her wheelchair. She wanted to show Rod that she didn't need a man to take care of her. But Rod proved himself to be everything Megan had wanted in a man — accepting, loving and supportive.
Meanwhile, Megan continued to strengthen her lower body. She's now standing on her two feet and exercising regularly. It's no surprise that her incredible progress left her medical team stunned.
Once again, her dream of becoming a fitness model is becoming a reality. She's been documenting her progress on Instagram.
Megan is now sharing her story in the hopes it will inspire others to rise above adversity and push through any barriers in one's way. "And even though I know it won't be easy, it's actually been pure hell through all of this, and wouldn't even wish it on my worst enemy," Megan writes on Instagram. "I know my dreams will be worth everything! To inspire the world!!!!!!! To be a first partial paraplegic fitness model."
Megan and Rod got married in 2012. The happy couple now hopes to start a family.
Megan's journey serves as an inspiration to us all. What a strong, courageous woman who deserves all the recognition she gets. If you agree, please SHARE Megan's story with your friends on Facebook.
