SCI Superstar: Victoria Arlen

Victoria Arlen knows a thing or two about wheelchair life despite getting back on her feet again in 2016. Paralyzed by transverse myelitis when she was 11, she was locked in her body for 4 years before communicating again. Now a reporter for ESPN, a speaker, an author and fully walking, read on for Victoria’s amazing story.

Why She’s Fearless

Growing up in New Hampshire, Victoria was surrounded by athletics. She is a triplet with 2 brothers and was always at hockey rinks watching them play. She played all kinds of sports growing up – soccer, swimming, dancing; Victoria was and is a true athlete.

When she was suddenly paralyzed from the waist down at age 11 due to transverse myelitis, Victoria was in a coma for 4 years; not able to speak or eat, missing out on school and friends. She finally woke up at 15 years old thanks to a new medication. Thankfully all her cognitive abilities came back, but not the use of her legs. It didn’t take long however for Victoria to immerse herself in adaptive sports as a way to reclaim her personality.

She first participated in sled hockey, the sit-down version of able-bodied hockey. She became so good at sled hockey that she was on the National Women’s Junior’s Team in 2011.

Swimming however is where she really shined. Victoria took part in the London 2012 Paralympics, winning silver in the 40m freestyle, silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay, silver in the 50M freestyle and gold in the 100m freestyle, which is where she set a record – breaking the world record with a time of 1:13:33. She was also nominated for an Espy award in 2012 for the category of “Best Female Athlete with a Disability.”

By 2013, Victoria was beginning to recover leg function. This made her unable to participate in any further Paralympic games, but in regards to her future in general, it was the beginning of an exciting new chapter. By 2016, she had recovered the ability to walk, with the help of Project Walk.

What’s Next?

After no longer able to compete in adaptive sports, Victoria was hired by ESPN as one of their reporters in 2015, which is a job she holds till this day. She has covered events like the X Games and American Ninja Warrior. And in 2017, she was a participant on Dancing with the Stars. She did not win, but it helped her become more well known than ever before.

Speaking and writing are two more career notches Victoria has added to her belt. A speaker before recovering her ability to walk, she has been a TEDx speaker and speaks often. She also published her autobiography, Locked In, in 2018. Victoria also stays busy with her foundation, Victoria’s Victory Foundation, that gives mobility and adaptive sports equipment to those in need.

Back on her two feet and healthier and busier than ever before in her life, and we can’t wait to see what this world holds next for this amazing human being.

– Follow her on IG