An Autoimmune Disorder Left Her Paralyzed, Then She Stunned Her Doctors and the World

Something happened when Arlen was just 11 years old. First, there was a pain on her right side. It was severe. Her parents took her to the hospital.

What was expected to just be a routine trip to the doctor proved to be anything but normal…

Unable to converse or move, Arlen had to find ways to spend the time. She kept her mind sharp by studying multiplication and listening to the voices in the room around her, but they had no idea that she could hear everything they were saying.

A Rarity

When Victoria Arlen was born, she was already a rarity. She was born a triplet. She and her two brothers started life in Boston, Massachusetts. The family then moved to Exeter, New Hampshire.

What this small family didn’t know then is that their daughter would grow up to inspire a nation.

Water Baby

Arlen was a very active child. She liked to dance. But what she really loved to do was swim. Her family described her as a “water baby.” Her love for sports, and the water, would prove to propel her forwards later in her life, but only after she learned some incredible lessons.

Her Dream

Arlen had a dream. When she was five, her teacher asked what she wanted to do when she grew up. Arlen’s response?

“Win a gold medal.” Arlen always knew that she wanted to accomplish incredible things and someday she would get to do that. To get there, she first had to overcome some incredible adversity.

Something Wrong

But then something happened when Arlen was 11 years old. First, there was a pain on her right side. It was severe. Her parents took her to the hospital.

What was expected to just be a routine trip to the doctor proved to be anything but normal…