When Todd Krieg, 23 years old, got into an accident while he was riding his dirt bike in 2014, he was left paralyzed below his chest. Since then, he had to use a wheelchair in order to move around.
Naturally, he and his girlfriend, Amanda Diesen, thought that they would never be able to conceive a baby. However, when Diesen found out that she was pregnant, they were obviously surprised and ecstatic. So, they decided to mark the special moment in a very memorable way.
The couple shot a photo for their pregnancy announcement with the phrase, “It still works!” written in chalk on a wall behind them, with Diesen seemingly shaking her hand and Krieg giving a thumb up and a silly face.
Diesen, 25 years old, told People, “It was great, we’re so goofy, and we wanted something to portray our relationship. I had looked a ton on Pinterest, but there aren’t a lot of ideas for those in a wheelchair. I stumbled across one where a dad was holding a sign that said ‘I did that,’ so it gave me the idea to write, ‘It still works.'”
The photo was uploaded on Reddit and received over 2 million views, which made it achieve a viral status.
Diesen said, “I think that loving someone in Todd’s situation takes a bit more patience and a servant heart, but if you truly love someone it won’t be any different than if he were up and walking.”
She continued, “Of course, it’s tough on me sometimes, not being able to stand up and get a hug from the person I love most, or be able to walk around in public holding hands or go running on the beach together. But honestly, the love that Todd and I have for each other is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
Diesen and Krieg live in Elyria, Ohio, with Krieg’s parents. They met in September 2015 when Krieg attended a paralysis center called Project Walk, which is located in Carlsbad, California, where Diesen was working as a recovery specialist.
Krieg now works in accounting for a construction company. He used to be a professional dirt bike racer. When he was preparing for the race season two years ago, he got into a crash that sent him diving headfirst into the ground, resulting to a damaged spine. He used to compete on AMA Monster Energy Supercross series and the AMA Lucal Oil Pro Motocross Series.
Diesen said, “I was first drawn to Todd’s good looks! I thought he was a total babe. I’m also drawn to his sense of humor, and ability to put on a happy face despite the struggles and huge life-changing event he has endured.”
Diesen, who now works as a social worker for people with developmental disabilities, followed Krieg when he had to return home to his parents in Ohio.
Diesen explained to People, “He’s in physical and mental pain every single day from being paralyzed. Everything takes just a little bit longer.
“It bothers him that I have to help a bit more with things because they’re typically easier for me — like changing the bed sheets or taking out the trash — he’s capable of all these things, it just takes me less than half the time to complete them, so of course I always appreciate when he does them, and he is always appreciative of me when I do them.”
The couple decided to enter an online contest on a bridal site for the chance to win a free wedding. They’ve always wanted to have a family, and had initially prepared themselves to consider IVF.
Diesen shared, “We thought we’d need to look into devices or doctor visits or maybe even IVF. We definitely didn’t think it would be able to happen naturally! It’s totally different for anyone with a spinal cord injury. Todd does not feel it when stuff is going on, but is occasionally able to reach climax.”
They recently found out last Valentine’s Day that their baby is a boy. Diesen just couldn’t believe that these are all happening to them. She said, “We are so shocked. We’re thankful for the comments being mostly positive and for all the love and support we have received.”
