If you’ve taken a look around during the passing period, you’ve probably noticed something out of the normal. Maybe it was the loud clicks, or the deception of a girl missing half her leg, or possibly the loud screeching of wheels on the tile that caught your attention. Scoot, pirate, peggy, regardless I’ve heard it all, and yes I am the girl who probably made you have a double take in the hallway. Of course I’ve had small twists, or sprains here and there, but nothing so big that it would take me out of my whole season. 

Backing up to a few months ago, competition season was right around the corner and I was doing everything possible to better myself for my team. That includes morning practices, afternoon practices, countless hours at the gym, good nutrition, and strict sleeping patterns. With that being said, there’s no doubt about it that athletes are some of the most driven people you’ll ever meet, but can often be overworked. In my case it was the slightest little twist of landing wrong that threw off my whole season. 

Thinking that the little twist was just a ligament tear, I was seeing the trainers at school everyday to get better. After little progress was being made, I finally came to see what the doctors had to say. The X-ray revealed a much bigger surprise, that surprise being a whole extra bone in my left foot that never developed correctly. So that ¨small little twist¨ threw the bone completely off its axis. Trying to avoid a long recovery, the doctors put me into a boot for a month hoping the bone would heal itself. So a month spent on the bench went by, and mobility was still quite shaky in my foot. Then the action we tried avoiding so long became the best and only option. Surgery to remove my extra bone and advance my tendon was quickly scheduled. 

While I was at all of my doctors appointments tending to a bone that wasn’t even supposed to be there in the first place, my team was going out and getting first place. Of course I was so happy and proud of my team, but you can’t help but feel some strong emotions while watching people do what you love, and you do not have the ability to be out there doing the same. In a way it feels like I’ve been in timeout, but there was no way to avoid an injury like this, and it was bound to happen at some point.

Even though it’s been hard, I’ve had to find ways to enjoy my passion from an outside looking in perspective. Still being part of the team, I have been attending whatever I can to cheer my team on. From an outside perspective, I’ve been able to watch each of the girls’progress on their dancing the past few months. Getting to see that progression of my team made me feel so proud to be a part of a group of girls who use every second to reach their goals. The best thing you can do for yourself in times like these is to stay positive. If not positive, the road to recovery will only take longer and be more forceful.

If I can give anyone who is going through an injury a couple words of advice, it would be to not expect your recovery journey to be easy and handed to you, but to recognize how much more appreciation you will have for your sport. As far as my recovery goes, I still got a long road ahead of me, but having gained so much more appreciation for my team, there will be no holding back next season. Truly injuries can happen to anyone at any time, so never take any game, performance, or play for granted, because you never know when it will be your last.