Stand up and walk. No matter how difficult the steps may be.

“Stand up and walk, however difficult the steps may be.” These are more than words. They are Marija Marina Uskok's way of life.

Twenty-three years ago, her life changed in a single moment. In a serious traffic accident, she sustained multiple open fractures to her left knee and lower leg. Thirty-three operations followed as doctors tried to save her leg.

She fought for almost two decades. Then, four years ago, sepsis set in. To save her life, doctors had to amputate her leg.

Many people would have thought that was the end. Marija decided it was a new beginning. “Once an athlete, always an athlete.” She left the confines of her home and entered the hall of Hrabri Volleyball Club.

Last year, she took part in the 100-kilometre humanitarian ultramarathon at Jarun, completed in under 24 hours. She covered part of the route with us in a wheelchair and then, using crutches, played in an inclusive friendly football match.

Today, she plays volleyball, wheelchair handball and wheelchair basketball, throws the discus and shot put, and cycles. With Croatia's wheelchair handball team, she finished fourth at the European Championship in Lyon, and with the women's sitting volleyball team, she finished fifth in Italy.

This year, she joined Agram Athletics Club and won a bronze medal in the discus and fourth place in the shot put at the Croatian Championship.

When asked what she values most, she does not mention results. She names the applause from the stands, the support of her teammates and a sincere “Well done!” Sport gives her the opportunity to participate, belong to a team and believe in herself.

That is why we walk. Because the greatest victories are not always measured in medals; they can also be the decision to move forward again. “Stand up and walk, however difficult the steps may be.” None of us walks alone. Different, yet the same.