All throughout my life I had heard people talk about tearing ACLs and I thought to myself, "man, that sucks" (not really knowing what an ACL is). Quick biology session: An ACL is your anterior cruciate ligament. You (should) have one in each knee, and it is a very fragile ligament. It's what lets you make cutting motions, and when it's twisted beyond its capacity, it can tear.
Why does it suck? Well, a rough estimate for athletes who are trying to recover and resume playing their sport again, the time span of complete healing plus proper strength is between 5-9 months. And for those of you who stuck by my side all 6 months and then some, here's to you:
To my classmates and teachers: Thank you for being concerned about my well-being, and pouring me with love and inspirational quotes. Y'all were all so kind, and I appreciate you guys helping me in class to make it through the day.
To my physical therapists: Thank you for pushing me every session to do well and reassuring me that I was going to get better. Thank you for understanding when i really couldn't do something because it was so painful, but boosting my confidence with your cheesy humor. Thanks for teaching me how to stand again, then walk, then run. And thank you for helping my scrawny thigh muscle turn back into a strong normal leg (but no thanks for the million one-legged squats). Looking back I never thought I would be able to play again, but thanks to your help I am capable.
To my best friends: I am so sorry that I made you miss out on multiple events due to my lack of mobility at the time! I know water parks would've been fun in the summer, but y'all gave that up just to stay in with me and watch movies instead. It meant the world to me. Thank you for bringing me snacks and treats, carrying my crutches to me, and even wheeling me around at times (lol). Thank you for never complaining about having to drive me all around town, and for willingly carrying my books from class to class. You were exactly what I needed when I was down, and I'm so thankful for caring friends like y'all.
To my mom, dad, and sister (Joanna): Thanks for being my personal helpers, and for walking up and down the stairs constantly to bring me things. Even though sometimes y'all were too helpful, I appreciated every second of it. From being my personal bathers (lol), my shoulders to lean on, my chefs, my chauffeurs, and my bodyguards. I appreciate it all. I know waking up at extra-early hours to take me to PT wasn't ideal, but you did it for my well-being and I am so grateful for a family as patient as you were. I know it hurt to watch me suffer and to feel helpless during the process, but y'all helped speed up my process as well.
When you temporarily lose your ability to squat, walk, run, and play sports, your life drastically changes. There is a long list of things you can't do, but thankfully God put all these amazing people in my life to help me through the process. Without all of you, I'm not sure where I would be at the moment, perhaps still upstairs, stranded and unable to walk to the bathroom!
