Run Over by Truck, Triathlete Shares Story of Recovery at Gaylord

It was a beautiful fall day in Connecticut when Colleen Kelly Alexander, a lifelong athlete, rode her bike home from work. She had recently survived both a diagnosis of lupus and brain surgery, had a fulfilling career, and was married at last to the love of her life. Everything was good as she coasted along, meeting the eyes of a truck driver as he approached the stop sign beside her.

He didn't stop. The truck hit Colleen, running over her lower body with the front and the back tires and dragging her across the pavement. As she bled out in the street, nearby strangers surrounded her and the driver attempted to get away.

Five weeks in a coma and twenty-nine surgeries later, Colleen survived. Rather than let the trauma and PTSD control her life, she became determined to find a way to make something positive from her pain. She decided she'd run again and dedicate her race medals to the everyday heroes around us, including the medical staff and blood donors who saved her life. She has since shared her story of courage and triumph on the Today Show, Home & Family on Hallmark Channel and The Dr. Oz Show and recently published a book, “Gratitude in Motion, A True Story of Hope, Determination, and the Everyday Heroes around Us.”

On Thursday, April 19 Colleen will return to Gaylord Hospital - where she spent months recovering from her severe injuries and learning how to walk again – for a special book signing and lecture open to the public.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a wine and cheese reception in Gaylord Hospital’s Brooker Lecture Hall, 50 Gaylord Farm Road, Wallingford, CT, followed by a lecture and book signing. Books will be available for purchase at the event and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Gaylord Adaptive Sports Program. Colleen will also present two of her race medals to Gaylord chaplain Rev. Leonard Williams and to Case Manager Debbie Kaye, both of whom she hails as “heroes” who played a significant role in her recovery.

Attendance is free, however seating is limited. To RSVP please visit www.gaylord.org/booksigning.

ABOUT GAYLORD SPECIALTY HEALTHCARE:

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut is a not-for profit, 137-bed specialty hospital that provides care and treatment of people with complex medical and intensive rehabilitation issues. Gaylord also operates outpatient therapy centers in Wallingford, North Haven, and Cheshire. For latest news or more information go to www.gaylord.org.