Learn how one woman’s persistence and determination led her to the 2016 Rio de Janiero Paralympic Games after a traumatic set-back. Michelle Konkoly is a third-year medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, and a survivor of a traumatic spinal cord injury in 2011. Prior to beginning medical school, Michelle trained full-time as a professional swimmer, and represented Team USA at the 2016 Rio de Janiero Paralympic Games, where she won 4 medals and set a World Record. Michelle speaks about her triumphant story of overcoming incredible odds, and how the lessons she learned as a patient inform her training as a future physician. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.