You thought that you could prevent me from playing the game I love so dearly, but you couldn’t. You thought you could defeat me, but you couldn’t. You thought you could take away my happiness, but you didn’t. The day I tore my ACL, February 16, 2014, was the day that I thought my world was crumbling down, but in reality, the events that transpired on that day only made me stronger.
When the doctor told me that I had torn my ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), a crucial ligament in the knee, I could feel my dreams of playing college lacrosse slipping slowly from my grasp. I truly believed that the countless hours spent practicing, the grueling car rides to tournaments, and the rollercoaster of emotions experienced every game would now become nothing but a fading memory. I was now begging for these experiences that I had previously dreaded. I started to develop a defeatist attitude; I began to let my ACL be my strongest opponent yet. But I beat it.
Through countless hours of physical therapy I was able to grow stronger in order to begin my journey to defeat my opponent. There were days where it fought back, but I proved to be stronger. I could feel my physical and emotional strength returning to my body. I was slowly regaining my identity as a competitive athlete. After seven months of constant determination, I was victorious in my battle; my doctor told me that I was ready to return to playing lacrosse. I had officially defeated my opponent.
Here I stand two years later, a stronger woman, thanks to my worthy opponent. Tearing my ACL taught me how to truly fight for something that I love dearly. In order to achieve your dreams, you must fight for your success, for nothing comes easy in life. I almost allowed my ACL tear to permanently destroy my dreams on multiple occasions, but I persevered, and now I am a collegiate athlete. So I would like to thank my ACL, for not only teaching me to fight for what I want, but also showing me how important it is to remain emotionally stable in times of hardship. Without this seemingly terrible experience, I would not be the strong woman I am today.
