The Darien community painted the town red, white, and blue Monday night to welcome back a hometown hero. “As I stand here right now and look down at two silver medals,” Ali Truwit said. “I think of all of you.” The Darien native set American records in the 400-meter freestyle and the 100-meter backstroke, just one year after losing part of her leg to a shark attack. “I had extra motivation in my races in Paris to swim the best I could as a thank you to my doctors and my prosthetists,” Truwit said. “and all of you for helping me get through the hardest year of my life.” Her hometown says her resilience and determination has inspired people across the globe. “It’s an example of picking yourself up and figuring out a way forward,” Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky said. “And having a community of people surround you in your time of need.” Truwit’s family said her performance in Paris wouldn’t have been possible without the community. “Ali is part of the community with disabilities now,” Mother Jody Truwit said. “To see a community come out and support those with differences, it means a lot.” Truwit will be honored at the White House soon along with other Olympic and Paralympic medalists.

Her next challenge? Running a marathon and continuing to work with her foundation to provide prosthetics for those in need.