Part of Edie’s rehab program consisted of attending a support group run by peers. In the group, Edie saw people who had been living with paralysis for decades, coming to the group to share information with the newbies – some of whom attend the meeting still in their hospital gowns. Edie, with her background in education and team sports, joined as peer-counseling ambassador.

“I was lucky. I knew right away that I wanted to compete, and I knew there was a way to do that. There were always disabled athletes in the marathons I had run, so I knew there was a place for me. I wanted to share that with others.”

After being discharged, Edie explains that she had a friend come live with her for a while. “After rehab I went home and had a friend stay with me for the first two weeks. Of course, she went to work, so during the day I was alone.” “I had to set aside my ego and actually ask for help. That was a big lesson.”

Edie reflects on the saying some veterans of spinal cord injury taught her ‘when you go home, that’s when your rehab really begins’.