In 2014, Monique Murphy was just like any other college student. She hung out with her friends, studied for her social work classes, and went to parties.
Monique, who was born in Wellington, New Zealand, was attending RMIT University Melbourne when her life changed forever. Three weeks into the school year, Monique went to a party. A week later, she woke up in the hospital. She had no idea what had happened or where she was.
The next day, Monique overheard doctors talking and realized her foot had been amputated. Later, Monique learned what happened that fateful night: She'd fallen off a fifth-floor balcony, probably due to a spiked drink.
After the fall, Monique had a number of very serious injuries, including a broken collarbone, three broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken jaw, a deep laceration in her neck, severed tendons in her arm, and numerous leg injuries.
Monique spent the next six weeks in the hospital, undergoing a total of eight operations.
Monique Murphy was a normal college student attending university in Australia, until one night changed everything.
While attending a party, Monique fell off a fifth-floor balcony, probably because of a spiked drink. Monique took to Instagram to explain what happened after that: "I woke up from a coma completely unaware of my surroundings or of what had happened."
"It wasn't until the next day when I overheard doctors talking that I realised, among other injuries I had lost my right foot," she continued. "The next 3 months would see a total of 9 operations including a further amputation to below my knee."
"I still don't remember what happened but all I know is that I am beyond lucky," she concluded. "A fall around 25 meters and today I am still standing."
Despite her severe injuries, Monique wasn't going to let her accident ruin her life. Instead, she fought harder than ever to live a productive life.
In the first few weeks after Monique's amputation, she didn't know if she'd even be able to walk again, let alone get back in a pool to swim. Luckily, Monique's recovery went extremely well.
Eventually, after weeks of recovering in the hospital, Monique was able to get in the water for hydrotherapy. She continued to get stronger, and while building her skills, she met an aspiring Paralympian.
From that point on, Monique knew she wanted to compete in the Paralympics. And in September 2016, she did just that.
Monique won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, where she represented Australia.
Although the accident occurred in 2014, it still affects Monique's life every single day. In 2017, she took to Instagram to write about her life:
“3 years ago today my right foot was amputated. 3 weeks later I would decide to progress to a below knee amputation. But lose one leg…gain 3! Some days it feels like my accident was decades ago and others like it was only yesterday. But im always thankful for the friends and family that stuck by me and the role swimming has played in getting me back on my feet.”
“It is belived [sic] that my drink was spiked at a university event that led to a fall from a 5th floor balcony. I decided not to investigate the accident because it would not change the outcome. By focusing on the future I post this as a Paralympic silver medallist, and full time university student. Ive never regreted [sic] that decision.”
“Im beyond lucky to have the prosthetics I do and hope one day every amputee can have access to which ever legs they need AND want!”
Monique has had more surgeries over the past few years, but she's never let her injuries affect her spirit. She takes every doctor's visit in stride, and feels lucky she's still alive after her terrifying fall.
Monique is truly an inspiration!
