Paralysed US teen successfully moves to rehabilitation facility after 'freak' gymnastics accident

US teenager Makayla Noble, who was paralysed after a "freak" gymnastics accident, is marking another milestone in her recovery.

The 17-year-old high school student from Texas had been in hospital after suffering a severe injury to her spinal cord while practicing tumbling — a gymnastics form that requires flips, jumps and twists — in a backyard.

Three weeks after her accident on her 17th birthday, Makayla safely moved to a rehabilitation centre, but she still has a long way to go.

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In a post shared to Facebook, the Noble family updated their loved ones on Makayla's new digs, saying although she did "great" on the trip, it was still a "hard day."

"Hard saying goodbye to her nurses at Medical City Plano. Hard arriving and seeing all the patients in wheelchairs, facing her reality and she is struggling knowing she will be here a while, away from friends and family," the post read.

On Thursday local time, Makayla starts physical therapy, with the support of her local community and people around the world backing her up.

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Makayla's story has touched thousands around the world, after friend Tiffany Smith started a GoFundMe page to help the family with medical expenses.

"Thank you everyone for your incredible support," the Noble family wrote to those who contributed to the US$173,435 (approx. $233,738) raised.

"While we wish we could respond to each donation, we see you and we feel the prayers and love you that you're sending our way.

"These contributions will be such a blessing to Mak and her fight towards recovery. We could never properly thank you for all that you've done and continue to do!"

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Makayla, who according to Tiffany Smith was a "world-class athlete" and a cheerleader for most of her life, practicing multiple times a week, has a long road ahead.

It's expected it could take her between 12 and 18 months to recover, and her mother Jenn Noble wrote in a Facebook post after the accident that the chances of Makayla ever being able to walk again were "very slim."

Smith, the 16-year-old who started the GoFundMe page, told Fox4: "This was a freak accident in somebody's backyard. This was not a cheer practice. This wasn't on a mat with a coach."

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Makayla's move to the rehabilitation centre was actually delayed due to problems with her lungs, but the teen remained positive even as the reality of her injuries set in.

"Hi everyone, I have my mum here translating this for me because I can't talk," Makayla said in a video posted to Facebook this week ahead of her move. "But I wanna say hi."

"Thank you for all the love and support. I can't believe tomorrow's the day that we get to go to rehab, hopefully. And it's my 17th birthday, which makes it extra special. When I get my voice back and can talk, I'll make lots of videos, and I'll update you guys on my progress."