Gabriel ‘Gabe’ McKenna-Lieschke awoke from an induced coma two years ago and, through the haze of extremely potent medicines, realized that his right arm was missing.
In November 2020, the bodybuilder was doing weights at a gym in the northern Adelaide suburb of Gepps Cross, like he had done countless times before.
The moment he tore his tendon from the bicep of his arm while lifting a 50-kilogram barbell forever altered his life.
“What should have been routine surgery to repair the tear followed by rehabilitation turned into a nightmare that nearly lost Gabe his life,” his buddy Edward Noble wrote on a GoFundMe campaign to assist McKenna-Lieschke in achieving his Paralympics ambition.
He is aiming to win gold for Australia at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris and hopes that his perseverance will inspire others.
McKenna-Lieschke, 29, was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide in November 2020, three days after her surgery.
His arm swelled when he contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a rapidly growing ‘flesh-eating’ infection caused by bacteria releasing toxins into the body.
McKenna-Lieschke was placed in an induced coma for ten days and underwent eleven procedures, but his right arm above the elbow had to be amputated to preserve his life.
He told the Advertiser, “I was high on drugs and didn’t realize what had happened until I looked in the mirror and saw that my arm was gone.”
Since he was a youth, he had trained arduously with the goal of becoming strong.
Before the catastrophe, McKenna-Lieschke was only two weeks away from earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
His family and friends were informed that his likelihood of awakening from the coma was low.
However, Mr. Noble stated that his pal is a fighter.
‘When Gabe regained consciousness, the first thing he said to me was, ‘I have to eat this,’ followed by, ‘I believe I want to take up track cycling,” he said.
McKenna-Lieschke is now a formidable contender for a cycling spot in the upcoming Paralympics.
He stated, “I plan to win a gold medal.”
It’s a dramatic departure from his life just two years ago. Before his accident, he exclusively rode mountain bikes.
He had been boxing and bodybuilding prior to his injuries, but realized that both were now unfeasible if he wanted to participate.
“I accepted that my arm would not regrow and decided to move on with my life, pondering what sport I could compete in most effectively,” he explained.
Jane Reilly, a family friend and local media personality, put him in touch with state MP Matt Cowdrey, Australia’s most successful Paralympian with 23 medals.
Mr. Cowdrey connected McKenna-Lieschke with cycling officials, which paved the way for her to compete in the Paralympics.
The national coach advised him to switch to sprinting after he initially pursued endurance riding.
The trainer was correct. McKenna-Lieschke stated that sprinting and weightlifting training restored a large portion of her identity.
His first objective was to make the Australian team for the 2021 world championships in Glasgow, followed by the 2024 world championships in Paris, when he would compete in the 1km time trial and the team sprint.
One major barrier to his plans, though, is the expense.
The prosthetic he uses in training can’t be used at the Paralympics and getting the correct carbon fibre one doesn’t come cheap.
This is why friends, including Mr Noble, started the GoFundMe page to raise funds for the prosthetic, equipment, travel and other expenses.
McKenna-Lieschke stated, “I believe my tale of resiliency is one that may benefit and inspire people who are facing adversity.”