SPOKANE, Wash. – Seven years ago, a woman lost her leg just two weeks after getting married. Today, she is flying to Paris to compete in her first Paralympics.
Lindi Marcusen, born and raised in Spokane, had always been an athlete, with gymnastics being her main sport for 14 years.
While in college, she met her now-husband, Nate, whom she describes as the most interesting man she’s ever met.
However, everything changed for the Marcusen’s less than two weeks after their wedding.
Lindi was driving alone on a road where the speed limit exceeded 50 MPH when her car malfunctioned, causing her to veer into oncoming traffic. She was struck by a Ford F350, which ripped her car in half and amputated her leg on impact.
Lindi sustained several critical injuries and physically woke up about two weeks after the crash. Mentally, however, she says she wasn’t fully aware for about six weeks.
Her brain injury was so severe that while she was unconscious, doctors told her family that if she woke up, she would likely remain in a vegetative state for the rest of her life.
Lindi’s family flew in from all over the country to say their final goodbyes.
The next morning, Lindi’s condition had miraculously improved, though she was acting out of character.
The brain injury left her agitated, leading her to rip out her IVs and bite her family members, but she gradually began to return to her normal self.
Lindi spent several months in rehab, and as soon as she was discharged, she went straight to the gym, even in her wheelchair.
When she was ready, Lindi contacted Parasport Spokane, excited to compete again.
“I kind of got told about the Paralympic Games, and my ears perked up,” said Marcusen. “I was like, hey, this could be a possibility for me.”
Since then, she’s never looked back.
“I wasn’t going to let that event in my life take away more than it already had,” said Marcusen. “I wasn’t going to let it take away that I love to move and work out and be active.”
In Paris, Lindi will be competing in multiple events, including the long jump and the 100m. She hopes to inspire her family and community with her courage.
