A mum from Ohio left paralysed from the waist down after falling out of a tree has shared how intense physiotherapy has helped her regain some movement in her legs. 24-year-old Leah Weiher of Columbus found herself fighting for her life and mobility after a hunting trip in November 2023 went disastrously wrong. Climbing a tree to reach her stand, Leah slipped and plummeted nearly 15 feet, landing on a crossbow. "It happened so fast, I didn't even realise I had lost my footing and was falling until I hit the ground," shared Leah. "I remember the impact and hearing a cracking sound. I was just lying there, terrified. I couldn't feel my legs, but I could feel intense burning in my back. It felt like it had snapped in half. I thought I was slowly dying." While Leah's partner Mason rushed to help her, Leah's thoughts spiralled towards her daughter, Laken Ray, who had just celebrated her first birthday. "A million things raced through my head, but the thought that hit me hardest was not being around for my daughter. I kept telling myself, 'This can't be it. I just can't leave my little girl like this'." Recalling the day of the accident, Leah explained the morning began like any other hunting trip. "Mason and I woke up around 5 am. We stopped at the gas station to grab some snacks and drinks then drove to Darby Battelle. We got there around 6 am and started our hike through the woods. Once we'd arrived at our tree stands, I started climbing up the tree to the top where our stands were. I still had a bit to climb until I could step over onto the stand, but I ran out of things to grab on to keep climbing. I eventually grabbed onto Mason's stand, which instantly unfolded on me, causing me to fall." Leah landed on her back, on top of her crossbow. The jarring collision with the ground and the crossbow almost completely severed her spine. While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, Leah slipped in and out of consciousness. She woke in the ICU. "The surgeon came in and told me the results of my imaging. He said I had a burst fracture on my spine (my L2), causing paraplegia. He told us that if I did not get surgery, there was a 50/50 chance that I would never walk again. I elected to do the seven-hour-long surgery ." Following surgery, Leah was in a rehabilitation hospital for almost two months. "My life has changed dramatically since the accident. Simple daily tasks that I once took for granted, such as showering, using the restroom, doing household chores, or even just grabbing an item from a kitchen cabinet, now require assistance. Not having that independence I've relied on since I was a teen has been hard to accept. It's like I'm back to being a kid, needing help for just about everything. And the toughest part? Not being the hands-on mum I've always been." Despite the overwhelming changes, Leah's spirit remained unbroken, fueled by her family's support and her love for her child. "Luckily, I have an amazing support system. My family has been there for me since the day of my accident. I can't imagine how hard this would have been without them. My daughter is my number one reason for going on with life. If I didn't have her, I'm not sure if I would be progressing as I am. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of moments where I feel down and discouraged, but I tell myself that Laken needs her mum," she expressed. Leah's recovery journey has seen significant improvements in just a few months, from complete paralysis to regaining 80% strength in her right leg and about 25% in her left, allowing her to walk short distances with a walker. Her relationship with Mason has evolved. "It kind of turned into a caregiver relationship... but I think overall, it has brought us closer," Leah reflected. Leah's perspective on life and her aspirations have been reshaped through her ordeal. "I want to get as strong and healthy as possible so I can be the best mama I can be," she shared. "I tell myself every day to keep pushing. Even when my world is crashing down, I must keep pushing." While Leah's insurance has covered most of the medical bills, she hasn't paid enough into social security to qualify for disability. Unfortunately, bills don't stop just because of an accident. Leah is appealing for help for monthly bills, food, and transport expenses. If you would like to help her, she's created a GoFundMe. Featuring: Leah Weiher When: 01 Mar 2024 Credit: @leahnicolexxo/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**