Lauren Parker OAM
SPINALCURE AMBASSADOR
"If I had to have my accident for a reason, I hope that I inspire just one person. That would make it all worth it." LAUREN PARKER
Lauren Parker’s story is one of resilience, courage, and unbreakable spirit. A world-class para-athlete and one of Australia’s most decorated sportspeople, she has redefined what it means to overcome adversity.
In 2017, Lauren’s life changed in an instant. A training ride for her next Ironman race ended in a catastrophic accident, leaving her paralysed from the waist down. In that moment, everything she had worked for—years of training, competition, and dreams of winning—was suddenly out of reach.
But instead of letting that moment define her, Lauren chose to fight.
Just 11 months later, she returned to competitive sport as a para-triathlete and para-cyclist. In her first major international event, she won a Commonwealth Games Bronze medal—the first of many triumphs on the world stage.
"Every day, I push through pain that most people will never experience. But I refuse to let my injury define me. I want to show others that life after a spinal cord injury is still full of possibilities—and that we must never stop fighting for progress." – Lauren Parker
A Champion in every sense
Lauren’s relentless determination has seen her rise to the top of her sport, winning multiple world championships, Paralympic medals, and national sporting honours, including:
- 2024 Australian Paralympian of the Year and Female Paralympian of the Year
- Flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics
- AIS Sport Performance Awards – Female Para-Athlete of the Year and Performance of the Year
- New South Wales Institute of Sport Ian Thorpe AM Outstanding Achievement Award
- 2025 Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to sport
Despite these achievements, Lauren’s journey has been anything but easy. She lives with severe neuropathic pain, an invisible battle she fights every single day. Yet, through every setback, she continues to push forward—proving that strength is not just about physical endurance, but the will to keep going.
Joining SpinalCure
Lauren understands firsthand what it means to live with a spinal cord injury—the struggles, the isolation, and the hope for something better. Through her role as a SpinalCure ambassador, she is using her story to inspire, advocate, and drive awareness for spinal cord injury research.
We are honoured to have Lauren Parker join SpinalCure as an ambassador. Her strength, determination, and unwavering belief in what’s possible will help shine a light on the urgent need for breakthroughs in spinal cord injury research.
Find out more about Lauren: laurenparkerathlete.com