Van Dyken-Rouen Heading Home ‘1,000 Times Better’

Olympic swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is leaving the hospital feeling "1,000 times better" after two months of rehabilitation.

She's even become the self-described "wheelie queen" in her specially designed wheelchair. She rolled out the hospital door Thursday — the same one she was brought in through on a stretcher in June.

At Craig Hospital, Van Dyken-Rouen learned how to drive with hand controls, dress herself and pick things off the floor. She also went boating and visited the zoo.

All part of the recovery for Van Dyken-Rouen, who was left paralyzed just below the waist in an all-terrain vehicle crash on June 6 in Arizona. She's ready to return home to Arizona, but will remain in Colorado until September.

Her immediate plans include visits to friends, some sailing and more rehab.