Paralyzed woman determined to finish entire Appalachian Trail

SOUTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Every year, thousands of people attempt to hike the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail, a lot of which runs through central Pennsylvania.

But this year, one woman is hiking it on her own despite being paralyzed in the lower half of her body.

Stacey Kozel is more than halfway through already and isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

Lupus, a disease caused by the immune system attacking its own tissues, is the reason behind her paralysis. In Kozel's case, her immune system attacks her spinal cord and lungs.

"I make my hips swing my leg forward. It hits the certain sensors on my foot to know that I need less tension on my foot, so it will kind of bend my knee," Kozel said.

The journey, which started in March in Georgia, hasn't been easy, Kozel admits.

"I just want to get outdoors as long as I can," Kozel said.

Her insurance wouldn't approve of the $150,000 braces for a while, deeming them unnecessary.

"It kind of just sucks the life out of you, every denial that you get," Kozel said.

While she needs breaks often, Kozel told CBS 21 she is determined not to stop until she finishes the trail in Maine.

At one point, Kozel had to stop working and fly home to get her braces fixed. The devices also need to be charged every two days.

To follow Stacey Kozel's journey, visit her Facebook page.