To The Injured Athlete
Start writing a post
Sports

To The Injured Athlete

It's not about the pain, it's the lessons learned along the way.

76
To The Injured Athlete
Unsplash

It happened about a month ago. Your knee gave out at practice as you were going up for a layup.

It was basketball season. Basketball was your favorite sport. You were even elected as a captain for the Varsity team as a Junior because of your work ethic and amazing leadership skills.

You couldn't walk. Mom and Dad had to come pick you up from practice and take you to the emergency room. You didn't know what was wrong, but you were scared.

The doctor's report was to wait, wait for a week and see if it feels better. So we waited. You were still in so much pain. Your entire leg was swollen and you surely couldn't walk on it. You were scared and depressed, you wanted to play so bad, but you physically couldn't.

After the first week went by, the pain did not cease. You went to the orthopedic doctor who scheduled an MRI for your knee later that week. More waiting with still no definite answers.

Finally, you went in for your MRI. You were nervous because you don't like close spaces but you were happy to find out your whole body did not go into the machine. After the pictures were taken of your knee, you were once again sent home to wait.

Later that week you went in to find out your results, to find your fate for your high school sports career. You weren't expecting anything great. You still couldn't fully straighten your knee and it had been over 3 weeks. The doctor's diagnosis, surgery. You needed to have surgery because you had torn your ACL, an athlete's worst nightmare.

You were devasted, just like any athlete would be, but you weren't going to let it stop you, you aren't going to let it get the best of you.

You want to know why?

Because you are an athlete.

You are strong. You are hard working. You are determined. You are capable.

The doctor told you it would be a year recovery time, but I know it won't take you that long. Yes, you won't be able to finish out the season, but you are still there, at every practice and every game, being the best captain and teammate you can be, even if it is from the sidelines.

For every athlete struggling with career halting injuries, don't give up. Athletes don't give up, they keep pushing even when it hurts, even when it gets hard, and even when they don't want to anymore, athletes keep pushing.

Whatever sport it may be, whether it's basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, swimming, or track and field, your injury doesn't define you and your career, it's how hard you work to get back to where you were that defines you.

It's not about the injury, it's the lessons learned along the way.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38857
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23321
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949650
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

127484
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments