Boston Marathon runner makes miraculous journey from paralyzation to finishing the race
For runner Alex Mayer, competing in the Boston Marathon was about more than just reaching the finish line.
In January 2023, Alex woke up in a hospital bed with no idea how she got there. Confused and unable to move, with no short-term memory and cognitively impaired, Alex was soon diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). This rare autoimmune disease can attack the nervous system, making the victim unable to process information or perform basic tasks without support.
"It was difficult to come to terms with the fact that not only could I not walk or move, but also my identity had been altered," Alex recalled.
The recovery process was slow. Alex had to relearn basic skills. She also had to accept a new reality and face fresh challenges, including physical therapy, isolation, and a drastically altered college experience.
"The hardest part of my recovery was trying to accept that this had happened," said Alex. "I was forever changed, and not everyone around me would be able to understand what that was like."
Once she started physical therapy, she began setting new goals, like standing on one foot, closing her eyes without falling over, walking without a cane, and eventually running.
Inspired by watching the Boston Marathon in 2024, she targeted running the marathon herself as her ultimate goal.
Watch this runner's journey from being unable to walk to finishing The Boston Marathon below.
Alex trained hard!
"Every time I didn't want to run, I reminded myself that I am so lucky to be here and I remembered the girl in the hospital bed begging to be let out," she said.
Her training paid off! With friends and family supporting her every step of the way, she achieved her goal of running the marathon and proudly crossed the finish line with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
"Yes, she ran a marathon," said Claire Rose, one of Alex's best friends. "But more importantly, the whole weekend felt like a celebration of how far she had come, both physically and mentally."
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