At just 19, Lorenza woke up in a hospital bed with life-changing injuries. She later learned she had fallen 40 feet from a window, landing on a stone courtyard.
Originally from France and now living in Arizona, Lorenza has no memory of the incident that occurred in July 2018. However, she vividly remembers the heartbreaking moment when medics told her that her life would never be the same due to her severe injuries: three fractured vertebrae that resulted in paraplegia, a broken wrist, two broken ankles, a fractured sternum, bilateral pneumothorax, and damage to her carotid artery.
"The doctors thought I wouldn't walk again because of how bad my spinal cord injury was, but they still told me to try nonetheless!" she told Newsweek.
But after a long road to recovery, powered by strength and determination, Lorenza, now 25, managed to prove everyone wrong. The content creator uses her platform to share her inspiring journey and frequently gains attention online, including a recent TikTok video (@leausongeante) that received 43,800 views, showcasing her journey from wheelchair to walking. The September 8 video begins with Lorenza using her wheelchair and a quote from her doctor, followed by clips of her walking under the text, "my body: 'hold my beer.'"
The Accident and Aftermath
After spending a month in the hospital and 18 months in a rehabilitation center, Lorenza learned how to live with a disability and use a wheelchair.
"I left the rehabilitation center as a full-time wheelchair user and everyone expected me to remain that way forever, myself included," she said.
In December 2020, Lorenza returned home and began her "new life," which included meeting her American partner Gabriel on Instagram. The couple married in July 2022 and started traveling together, which led to unexpected progress in Lorenza's recovery.
"During those months of travel, we noticed that my body was becoming more reactive, my core was stronger, and my hip flexors were a lot more responsive," she shared. Though Lorenza had undergone extensive physical therapy, she credited Gabriel, a fitness coach, with helping her the most.
"Gabriel pushed me to try to walk again," she said. "It was a 'give it all' one last time and it paid off!"
With Gabriel's help and the support of a physical therapist friend specializing in spinal cord injuries, Lorenza began walking with a walker in October 2022.
Progress was slow and painful, but in May 2023, Lorenza found significant relief while exercising in the sea during a stay with her grandparents in Italy.
"The water helped tremendously as there was no gravity pushing me down and the pain was much better," she said. This aquatic therapy allowed her to gain control over her movements, and by July 2023, Lorenza took her first unassisted steps.
A New Beginning
Today, she uses crutches outside her home and a wheelchair only for long distances or when pain is intense.
Reflecting on her experience, Lorenza told Newsweek: "The message I hope people gain from watching or reading my story is that life is beautiful and we should never give up.
"I became permanently disabled as a teenager and for a time I was worried that my life had ended there. Now, I've been living with a disability for years, and yet I live a very joyful life."
'This Woman's Progress Is Impressive'
Newsweek spoke to Dr. Raj Dasgupta, chief medical advisor for Fortune Recommends Health, he said: "Regaining the ability to walk after such serious injuries is very uncommon, especially with spinal cord injuries that cause paraplegia."
"Medical professionals note that only a small number of people with complete spinal cord injuries regain movement, making this young woman's progress truly impressive," he added.
Dasgupta, who is based in Los Angeles, California, has given the following tips for others recovering from life-changing injuries.
"It's important to implement a well-rounded rehabilitation plan, with enough physical therapy and mental health support to facilitate a sound recovery.
"I'd recommend setting realistic goals, staying mindful of their emotional state, and participating in adaptive activities can help them recover both physically and emotionally. Staying patient and resilient is key, as healing often takes time and may have ups and downs."
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