At 29 years old, Amanda was an avid hiker who spent every weekend exploring the outdoors. In January 2024, a sudden sharp pain in her neck changed everything. Within days, she found herself paralyzed and in the ICU with a C4 spinal cord injury and a diagnosis of Transverse Myelitis.

When Amanda left rehab, her coworkers rallied around her, raising funds for her to attend sessions at Sci Fit. Through these sessions, she progressed from a walker to a cane, and eventually gave up the cane entirely. She regained the ability to lift her right arm above her head and open and close her left hand.

Through the Victory Scholarship Program, Amanda continued her sessions at Sci Fit so she can continue to build her strength and balance.

"This scholarship means I don't have to stress about trying to afford to pay rent and food as well as the sessions that I need to continue at Sci Fit in order to keep getting better.”