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2026 Paralympics: Oconomowoc woman to compete after overcoming injury
An Oconomowoc woman is proving anything is possible after a life-changing injury left her paralyzed from the waist down.
OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - An Oconomowoc woman is proving anything is possible after a life-changing injury left her paralyzed from the waist down.
What we know:
Nearly 14 years after a spinal cord injury in 2012, Laura Dwyer is headed to Italy to compete in the 2026 Paralympics as a mixed doubles curler for Team USA.
"It’s a huge deal," said Dwyer. "I think I’ve come a long way."
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The 48-year-old wife and mother of two is preparing for a trip that represents years of work and determination.
"It’s the next step in all of the work that I put in, that it’s coming to fruition," said Dwyer.
The backstory:
In May 2012, Dwyer was working in landscaping when a 1,000-pound tree branch fell 40 feet, striking her. She suffered a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down.
"The accident really stopped everything and I had to start over and learn how to live in a wheelchair," said Dwyer.
Through years of rehabilitation, Dwyer leaned on a dedicated medical team, including occupational therapist Toni Gillette, who has worked with her since the beginning.
What they're saying:
"People just don’t realize how long of a journey she’s been on just to get to where she is today," said Toni Gillette, occupational therapist. "If anyone was going to do it, Laura was going to do it. Nothing ever stopped her."
Dwyer discovered curling in 2019, and the sport quickly became more than a pastime. It became a goal.
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"It’s elevated my mental health because I now feel like, hey, this is something I picked as a goal, I’m good at it, I’m training hard, and now we’re seeing the results," said Dwyer.
Big picture view:
She will compete alongside her mixed doubles partner, Steve Emt. He is also from Wisconsin.
No matter the outcome, those closest to her say she’s already won.
The Paralympics begin March 6 in Italy.
Oconomowoc woman turns tragedy into triumph on the ice
Those carefully laid out plans in life don’t always turn out the way you’d expect them to. Oconomowoc’s Laura Dwyer knows that all too well.
The Source: The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.