Doctors and therapists hoped she would eventually renew an independent life and began teaching her to read, write and walk again.
But Buchan wanted more.
By 1986, she was competing again in events for athletes with disabilities, and in 1988 won a spot on the US Paralympic team to Seoul.
Women's cycling was omitted from the program in Seoul, so Buchan rehashed her track past and contested the 800m and 400m events on the track.
Despite suffering from a pulled groin muscle, she won silver in the 800 and finished fourth in the one-lap dash.
She has since medaled in national and world competitions.
She was a US Paralympic track and field team member in the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics before competing as a cyclist in the 2000 and 2004 Paralympics.
Now, Buchan lives and trains in Bend, Oregon, where she is director for Team USabled, a nonprofit organization for disabled children. When she's not on the road or track, Buchan enjoys ceramics and other art projects.
"I'm single and don't have my own children, but I work for disabled children," said Buchan with a big smile on her face.
"I don't know whether I'll compete in London in four years' time. I'll just have fun and take each day as it comes."
(China Daily September 11, 2008)