Paralysed teen eyes marathon after lifechanging surgery

By the time Paulina was well enough to return to Germany following a week and a half of treatment, she had regained some feeling and movement on both sides of her body.

She then had further treatment at a hospital closer to home and spent time recovering in two rehabilitation centres.

While many people with her injury, known as a fracture dislocation, are left with permanent damage and lifelong disability, Paulina was taking her first steps just two months after the accident.

After extensive physiotherapy she was able to return to her home near Bochum in north-west Germany, where she lives with her father, and has recently returned to running.

“I was able to take steps, walk up and down stairs and even run a little bit while in the rehab centre,” Paulina said.

“I had set myself the goal of running a half marathon last year, as I have always been a runner, and that is still a goal for me despite everything I’ve been through.”