Growing up playing a sport, it becomes a part of you. You get used to waking up early to get to away games, having to tell people you can’t hang out because you have practice, and all the other mayhem in between. But throughout it all, you wouldn't change it for the world.
Until something unexpected comes up and changes it up for you.
I’m talking about the injury that jeopardizes that part of your life. It starts out small. You get hurt, but don't think anything of it. Then, when it doesn't get better, you go to the doctor. That's when the news breaks: this has the potential to end of your athletic career. Whether it be a long-term issue, or something that can be fixed with surgery, it'll never be the same.
So you move on to the process of fixing the problem; for me it was surgery. You quickly realize how much this is really going to affect you. As you sit in bed while everyone else is out on the field throwing or kicking the ball around, you start to worry about whether or not you'll ever be able to join them again. Occasionally, your friends will invite you to come join, forgetting you're basically confined to small movements, and it might be the most awful feeling ever to have to explain to them things aren't that easy anymore.
To try and boost your morale, your coaches and parents suggest going to a game or two to cheer on your teammates. As much as you love them, this sucks. Going to watch and not being able to play next alongside your team just isn't rewarding or fun. The worst part, though, might actually be all of the comforting people try to give you. It’s nice to know that people are there for you, but please, if I’m hobbling down the hallways in my knee brace, do not say, “Aw, that poor girl.” Yes, I’m crippled; thank you for reiterating that for me.
Soon, though, the recovery process is in full effect and things start to look up! Physical therapy sessions become shorter, braces get smaller, and finally, you can get off those crutches. As you start to become your normal self again, you realize that although your injury changed things that you didn't want changed, it happened and there’s nothing you can do about it. You must accept it, and grow from it, and become stronger. You eventually get the "OK" to go back to your normal everyday activities, in moderation.
You'll be frustrated that you are not as good as you used to be, but soon enough you get it back. It will just take a ton of time. In the end, these injuries make it hard for you to ever go back to normal. You come to realize, though, it’s better to be playing in general than not at all. The sport is a part of your life, and no injury can take that from you. You just have to take it one step at a time.
