Paralympic gold medallist Alexa Leary brought to tears by special ...
Three years ago Alexa Leary's parents were told their daughter may never walk or talk again.
But in a story for the history books, she's now one of our greatest para-athletes.
Belinda and Russell Leary were told to prepare for the worst in July 2021 after the star triathlete came off her bike travelling 70km/h on a training ride.
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Belinda and Russell Leary were told to prepare for the worst in July 2021 after the star triathlete came off her bike travelling 70km/h on a training ride. (Nine)After a week on life support, Alexa woke up and slowly her body started to heal.
While her bones healed, she was left with a traumatic brain injury and her dreams of going to the Olympics were over.
But a new dream was born and just six months after her accident, she was in the pool.
From her home in Noosa to Paris, she's now a dual gold medalist after bringing her team home in the 4x100m relay and breaking the world record in the 100m freestyle.
Alexa is a dual gold medalist after bringing her team home in the 4x100m relay and breaking the world record in the 100m freestyle. (Nine)"It feels amazing," Alexa told A Current Affair from Paris.
"I am so proud of myself but I am so thankful for my family and honestly my mum and dad, that got me here.
"We got the medals together really."
Describing his daughter as "a miracle", dad Russell was teary-eyed as he reflected on the family's journey over the last three years.
"Just so inspirational. So proud. It's just an incredible job she's done over three years to endure what she's endured, you know she's just a miracle," he said.
Belinda and Russell Leary said their daughter was "an inspiration". (Nine)Russell gave a shoutout to Alexa's coach Jon Bell, who he said deserved a bigger thank you than anyone.
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"He is the Alexa whisperer," Russell said.
"He doesn't just have to coach her as a swimmer, he has to coach her brain damage, he has to coach her as a person and put up with her moods, her ups and downs and he is just one incredible human."
Alexa was brought to tears by the video message. (Nine)Alexa was brought to tears when neurosurgeon Dr Norman Ma, who performed lifesaving surgery on her the night of her accident, appeared on screen from the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, in a specially recorded video message congratulating the para-athlete on her success.
"Oh wow, oh my goodness, this is making me cry," Alexa said, wiping away tears.
"I just can't even say anything. wow."
Neurosurgeon Dr Norman Ma performed lifesaving surgery on Alexa at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital the night of her accident, (Nine)Russell said "He was incredible that night".
"He said 'if we don't take her skull off, she will die'," Russell said.
"He was just incredible and the way that whole staff looked after us for three months, four months, we became family to them. RBWH, they're legends."
Watch the full video in the player above.
