INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) -The late Christopher Reeve may be the best known victim of a spinal cord injury. But a young Indiana woman, who is also a quadriplegic, is picking up where Reeve left off, determined to move once again.

24-Hour News 8 has been documenting this story for close to two years.

Annie Streit suffered a horrendous injury the day she graduated from Ball State University. But she and her parents decided they were ready to take a risk and try a controversial surgery that would take them all the way to Lisbon, Portugal.

"We found doctors in Russia that were doing some work in bone marrow. We found this Dr. Lima in Portugal and through the research, this appeared to be the most promising avenue for Andrea," said Chris Streit, Annie's father.

Annie would undergo stem cell surgery.

"I'm hoping to regain some movement to help me live more independently," Annie told us.

She returned to Indiana. But the hard work was about to begin. She had to train new nerves that could help her walk once again.

Annie Streit's Story: Fight of Her Life, A Special Report tonight at 11:00 on 24-Hour News 8.

By: Debby Knox
WISH-TV