Words From an Athlete

“You’ll never play volleyball again”

My heart sank. These are the hardest words that I have ever had to swallow, and are the words that every athlete fears. Since I was 12 I had a passion for sports, with one in particular. Volleyball was not just a sport for me, it was a lifestyle. I had already had my first knee surgery just nine months prior to the new injury, so leaving the doctor’s office that day I was defeated, two knee surgeries before I could even drive! I thought my career was over my sophomore year in high school.

Going into my second knee surgery I was already acclimated to the lifestyle I was about to endure for the next few months of recovery, but those words the doctor told me that day were burned into my mind. My eye was on collegiate volleyball and going into surgery I thought I would never be able to reach that dream. Shortly after surgery my physical therapist pushed me to the limit, trying to save my career. Little did I know back then him pushing me how he did would pay off.

After months of hard work and dedication I returned stronger than ever, finally achieving my goal. A full ride scholarship was in my near future, making everything I was put through worth it. I became an All American for my Junior College; also, getting every other award I set my mind to. I quickly decided that I wanted to continue and play again, but the hard work and dedication I put in led me to knee surgery number three my sophomore year in college.

I was absolutely devastated, three knee surgeries by the time I was 20 years old. Looking back now, still recovering from surgery number four, the number three wasn’t all that bad! I decided to prove to myself that I could continue after I recovered, which took a longer than expected because of complications with my knee. I took two seasons off and then decided that I would play again, not knowing I only had one season left in me. I finished out my college career only playing for three years and endured four knee surgeries. If anyone knows struggle and needed motivation, it was me. My struggles and journey was, and still is, one of the defining moments in my life.

"A minor setback paves the way for a major

 comeback" - The Odyssey

Every setback I had proved to me that the comeback would be so much greater! I hope my personal journey through my past surgeries (and current surgery) show that giving up is never an option.