Feature Article
By Doug Goodnough
Stacey Kozel Doesn ’ t Let Partial Paralysis Prevent Her from Walking the Appalachian Trail
There was a time — actually , a few times — that Stacey Kozel ’ 15 didn ’ t know if she would walk again .
After a high school soccer injury to her spinal cord left her paralyzed , she was diagnosed with lupus — an inflammatory autoimmune disease . That means Kozel has been in and out of the hospital most of her adult life . After a life-threatening car accident and a severe lupus flare up left her wheelchair-bound and paralyzed in both legs in 2014 , she pondered her next move .
“ I ’ ve had to learn how to walk more than once ,” she said of her post-accident condition . “ I remember the second or third time laying in the hospital and looking up and thinking , ‘ God , what are you trying to tell me here ?’ No one should learn how to walk more than once .”
So last spring when she decided she was going to hike the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail with the help of a new littleknown leg brace , it was about proving to insurance companies that the brace could improve the lives of those suffering from conditions like hers . It soon became much , much more than that . After completing the six-month , 14-state trek through most of the eastern U . S . on Oct . 9 , the 42-year-old Kozel has now become a national media sensation and an inspiration to many .
“ Never did I think it would get this big of a response ,” said Kozel of her journey , which was covered by numerous media outlets such as the USA Today , CNN and the Today Show . “ This hike has become more than about me . It became about other people , and I wanted to do this for everyone who was supporting me and reaching out to me and telling me their stories and struggles .”
Kozel was able to hike the trail thanks in part to the C-Brace , a leg brace that allows for the ability for those using it to bend their knees while walking . However , she spent months trying to convince her insurance company that it was worth the $ 90,000 or so price tag . Once she did , she wanted to show others as well .
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