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Determined to shine through medical hurdles, a tenacious 45-year-old from New Zealand rewrote the peaks of persistence with her story. Miriam Ellis, a cycling enthusiast from Waikato, exhibited an unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, captivating many. After dire battles against physical injuries, Ellis proved her tenacity with efficient comebacks. 

When Ellis’ life took a fateful turn after enduring not one but two traumatic brain injuries, not many could imagine her pursuing her passion for cycling in the near future. But she did, rewriting her story while balancing resilience and purpose in riding escapades. Coming up with a compelling plan of guiding a three-wheeled setup, the cyclist recently made history like never before. 

Cycling lover encounters recurring health battles

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Evidently, the road to recovery was laden with challenges for cycling enthusiast Miriam Ellis. While her first traumatic brain injury occurred in 2007, it shattered dreams when driver’s carelessness halted the elite triathlete’s career. Despite years of rehabilitation, life gradually found its rhythm as she recovered, with Ellis embarking on a part-time lecturing role. 

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While relishing the joys of motherhood with her son, Sidney, Ellis kept upholding her hopes for cycling ventures. But fate had its own cruel plans, landing another blow in November 2020 with a significant cycling mishap causing a second brain injury. Unconscious for a week and facing an uphill battle for survival, the riding lover now faced enduring consequences, yet again. 

Surviving through all odds of life 

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However, Ellis’ story has evident stances of high-spirited pedals, beyond her cycling sprees. Despite suffering from fatigue, headaches, and speech impediments, she decided to carve a new path of hope, determined for something purposeful. From participating in the Ironman games to gracing the Xterra World Champs with her gameplay, Miriam gained appreciation from many. 

After living for four years in Australia without vehicular support, and choosing to ride with her son for daily needs, the cycling enthusiast reached new peaks of admiration. As dust settled on her prior physical setbacks, Ellis recalled the hazardous day, stating, “We were coming down a track I’d ridden hundreds of times on my own and it just all went wrong.” 

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Additionally, she even joined a fundraiser event, willing to bring change for future generations. While her accidents instilled fear in her son, yet with time, Miriam Ellis found him gaining courage, mirroring her sheer portrayal of hard-earned milestones. Standing as a beacon of spirited attempts, the cycling icon imparted a story not just about survival, but also about overcoming every battle with a smile. 

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