Amy Pieters has reached a special milestone in her rehabilitation. The Dutch rider, who suffered a serious brain injury at the end of last year in a fall on an internship in Calpe, has taken her first steps. She has also been able to pedal along in a side-by-side tandem. This can be read on her website, where her rehabilitation in the Daan Theeuwes Center in Woerden is described.
The 31-year-old Pieters fell at the end of December during a road training of the national track team in Spain. She lost consciousness and suffered a serious brain injury.
Pieters had to undergo surgery and was in a coma for months. At the end of April, her SD Worx team reported that the rider had regained consciousness. Since August she has continued to work on her recovery in the rehabilitation center in Woerden.
“Lately, it’s been a little more difficult to motivate Amy with physical exertion,” the story opened on the site. “Speaking is not yet possible, which makes it difficult to explain why not.”
“Not being able to explain or express it is sometimes difficult for her and for us. Fortunately, she can be motivated by a game. We take for granted that she chooses her own moment. And that moment comes, because suddenly she is standing! “
What she shows is the conviction there that Amy will be able to walk again
“With a little help she gets up from her chair and takes her own steps. With support she walks short pieces. Amy sets the pace. There are days when she doesn’t want to show this again, and then another one comes along. day she wants to stand, walks and immediately makes a serious effort.”
“What she shows then is the conviction that Amy will be able to walk again!”, is the commentary on the first steps. “Amy’s steps are already real steps. What a progression!”
Talking is not yet possible, but the former Dutch champion on the road is increasingly making soft sounds, according to her website. “Sometimes we suddenly hear a small word clearly escape from her mouth. She does not repeat this yet, but how nice and hopeful it is to hear her familiar voice in this spontaneously expressed word.”
Panic with epileptic seizure
It is a story of trial and error. “There are also moments of panic,” the site clarifies. “Everything seems to be going a little better and then suddenly we are again pressed to the facts. Amy had a seizure (epilepsy attack, ed.).”
“Ambulance at the door and panic everywhere. The last time Amy had a seizure, she relapsed enormously. Perhaps by acting well and quickly, Amy has no very bad consequences, apart from a considerable fatigue.”
“We have to be patient and keep hope. We are convinced that Amy will show us very beautiful things.” The commentary concludes with a thank you to everyone who helps and supports Amy.
:quality(70):focal(1406x570:1416x580)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/liberation/Z23WTQFCWFGFVNPQX7SE4KHHL4.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1)
