After losing the use of her legs in an accident with a drunk driver, Rosalind Sampson didn?t exercise for years. The idea of using a fitness center seemed so difficult. Slowly, however, she began to wheel and lift weights, and with the assistance of a personal trainer, she competed in a 5K race. She then joined Life Time Fitness in Minneapolis and began working out with the assistance of a certified athletic trainer. He focused on helping her improve her mobility through balance and range-of-motion exercises.

Currently, Sampson wheels 3 to 6 miles four times a week, works out to a Tae Bo tape, skis in the winter, and since her upper-body strength has improved, will try walking with braces.

Sampson says that her positive attitude has given her the emotional and mental strength to achieve these physical improvements and emphasizes the importance of physical activity in recovering from an injury.

Read Sampson's entire story in Experience Life, November/December 2002, p. 60-61. For details on obtaining a copy of the full article, contact our hotline at 800-900-8086.