Wounded Vet, Paralympic Athlete Upbeat After Bike Stolen

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago woman who lost a leg in the Iraq war 10 years ago and is now a world class paratriathlete was thanking everyone for their concern after her bike was stolen.

"It's been kind of an overwhelming response of public support," Melissa Stockwell told WBBM Newsradio's Terry Keshner, after one of her two bicycles was stolen from her garage in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood.

"I have a racing bike and a training bike, and thankfully the one that was stolen was a training bike, not the racing bike," she added.

Stockwell said she's upset, but trying to keep things in perspective.

"To the point where I almost feel silly, because it's a bike, and it's replaceable," she said. "People have just been very, very kind; and very generous; and wanting to do what they can to help."

The black Trek bike has red and blue tires, red white and blue handlebar tape, and American Flag and Wounded Warrior Project stickers -- a nod to her service in Iraq, where she lost her left leg to a roadside bomb.

She has since gone from the battlefield to the Olympic arena, competing as a Paralympic swimmer and triathlete.

"I compete around the world – when I'm not pregnant obviously – in triathlons; so national and world championship level races," she said.

Stockwell, who is engaged and expecting her first child, is more appreciative and angry.

"Very thankful for all the support," she said.