Cyclist Amy Pieters is making progress in her rehabilitation. The athlete from Zwanenburg, who had a serious accident at the end of last year, has taken her first steps and can walk short distances with support.
“With a little help, she gets up from her chair and takes her own steps,” reads a message on her personal website. Pieters was also able to cycle along on a side-by-side tandem.
The cyclist cannot speak yet, but she is also making progress verbally. “We now hear soft sounds from her more and more. Then we are happy to hear from her.” In addition, her surroundings sometimes hear a small word 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 uttered word.”
Serious brain injury
The 31-year-old cyclist crashed on December 23 during a training session with the national track team in Spain. She suffered serious brain damage as a result. Pieters had to undergo surgery and was then in a coma for months.
Although the progress is a positive development, the cyclist also has to deal with relapses. Pieters recently had a seizure, which meant that an ambulance had to be called. “Probably by acting well and quickly, after having slept for a long time, Amy did not have any bad consequences except for a considerable fatigue”, it can be read.
Although the progress in her rehabilitation is uncertain, both Pieters and her environment seem hopeful. “Not being able to explain or express it is sometimes difficult for her and for us. Fortunately, she can be motivated by playing a game. We take for granted that she chooses her own moment. And that moment comes, because suddenly she stands!”