“I Wasn’t Supposed to Live”: 33-Year-Old Equestrian Aims to Overcome Dark Past by Looking to Achieve an Incredible Feat

There are some special people in the world that are beyond inspirational. They defy all odds, beat all setbacks, and become a driving force for everyone around them. If you’re looking for such a motivational personality, look no further than Chrissy Aitken. Aitken is a 33-year-old woman hailing from Ohio, who had the misfortune of being a burn victim.

However, her disabilities, instead of knocking her down, have only pushed her that much harder. It’s been decades since her family was informed that she might not live till the next 24 hours. Not only did Aitken survive, but she showed her mettle to the world. The 33-year-old has her sights set on becoming a world-champion para carriage driver.

The motivational story of Chrissy Aitken

In 1994, a grave tragedy befell the Aitken household. According to a report by FOX8, Aitken revealed, “In 1994 our house caught on fire in the middle of the night. In that house, we were all sleeping, and my dad and uncle managed to break my window out and toss me to a neighbor but unfortunately, my two sisters and my grandma never made it out of the house.” Aitken received third and fourth-degree burns in the fire. Doctors predicted that she would not make it.

Aitken added, “I wasn’t supposed to live past the first 24 hours and here I am almost 29 years crushing everybody’s expectations.” After the burns, she got an infection, and both her hands and feet had to be amputated. The fact that she is a quadruple amputee has not dimmed her spirit even an iota. She wants to become a pro para carriage rider in equestrian sports, an equivalent of the Paralympics that will take place in the Netherlands in the summer. She might be the only para carriage driver in Ohio.

Read more: 54-Year-Old Equestrian, Who Was Once Left Paralyzed by a Disastrous Accident, Remained Hopeful to Become a ‘Miracle’ Patient

The tragedy that struck Aitken was not easily overcome. Her physical as well as mental trauma took years to fade away. While her wounds healed, the mental pain was persistent. Finally, when she won a contest at a burn camp in Maple Crest Farm in Brecksville, Chrissy Aitken started feeling like herself again. She partnered with her beloved horse, Prince, and dived into equestrian sports. While it was challenging for her, the freedom from judgment and pain egged her on.

The budding para carriage driver is not ready to look back

Her equine friend has been one of the most therapeutic figures in her life. She said, “They just truly love you, the way you treat them and in the real world outside of here I struggle with my appearance and being judged by everybody else so horses and this farm and competitions is more of a sanctuary, my escape from reality.” Her horse, Prince, also named ‘Prince Charming’ by Aitken, is not the only supportive figure.

Dive Deeper: “Ran Off Me”: Despite Being an ‘Experienced’ Horse Rider, 44-Year-Old Model Suffered Multiple Accidents Once

Her coach, and the Manager and Trainer at the Maple Crest Farm, Stacey Giere, is also excited about what she can bring to the sport. Giere said, “I can’t wait to be her cheerleader, her coach, her confidant, someone she can rely on when she needs me. We have a professional friendship which has turned into an amazing thing and it’s irreplaceable.” Chrissy Aitken also expressed that she is raring to compete with some of the best around the world, and cannot wait to get the invitation. She added, “I am no longer restricted by my disabilities because when I’m in the driver seat with my horse I am just like everybody else.”

Watch This Story: Equestrian who Won Three Medals for America Sadly Passes Away at 81 

For Chrissy Aitken, the sport is not just that, it is much more. “I can compete with typical people and still beat them so I’m not restricted or held back it’s more of a sense of freedom,” she said.