Effects of an Injury not Just on Your Body or Sport

As an athlete, I have experienced tearing an ACL twice. Although they were “the same injury,” they were extremely different experiences. I still find it hard sometimes both mentally and physically during my recovery. It is hard in those areas, but also just adds another stress to your life. Things such as going to physical therapy or visiting the trainer take up a lot of time in your day that you had free before. These commitments on top of classes, practice, studying, homework, and taking care of yourself can cause a little extra stress in your daily life. It is important to express how you feel in situations like these and it is helpful to hear about other people's experiences. However, you should not compare your experience to someone else's because everyone will have different progress at different times. This is relevant in any situation, not just during the recovery process. It is important to acknowledge the small wins. Something as "simple" as jogging, was so exciting for me when I was finally able to start. Even walking, not wearing a brace on my leg, and driving were all very exciting milestones that I took for granted. All in all, it is nice to know that you are not the only one feeling this way, many athletes will go through recovery periods, and you are not alone.