To an Injured Athlete

To the Athlete That is Going Through an Injury,

First off, I want to acknowledge that injuries stink. Especially when they disable you from playing a sport you love.

At this point in your life you have probably been eating, breathing, and sleeping sports. They have been your main life focus. Your release. Your happy place. You identify as “an athlete” and this injury has taken that away.

Everybody acknowledges “how strong you are”, because you’re working toward a recovery. But while you may seem strong on the outside, your heart is broken. Life isn’t the same and neither is your role on the team.

I know it doesn’t make anything better, but I know how you feel. Millions of people know how you feel. You are not alone in this process.

So, I want to give you advice. From someone who became pretty good at being an injured athlete.

·        Take the time to work through the mental aspect of the injury.

o   Honestly, a large portion of recovery is mental. You may feel sad, mad, fearful, and many other things. That is okay! Just take the time to work through your emotions.

·        Find someone to talk to that knows how you feel.

o   There is strength in numbers. Especially, when those numbers are people who have had the similar things happen to them. Talking to someone who has an open ear is relieving. It is helpful to get emotions off your chest, especially when the person listening has been through the same thing.

·        If you don’t want to talk about it, write about it.

o   Writing is a great release of emotion and can aid in the recovery process. Work toward having great mental health, so you can have a great comeback!

·        Talk to God.

o   If you believe in God, He is a great person to cast your emotions on. He will guide you through your injury and aid in the mental recovery. My favorite verse that got me through several long term injuries is: “I loved you at your darkest.” -Romans 5:8

·        Take this time to refine your leadership skills.

o    Share your knowledge with teammates. Give feedback when asked. Support them and be there for them. Your teammates will be some of your greatest supporters, so return the favor.

·        Do your physical therapy.

o   The only way to return from an injury is to build your strength. Don’t skip PT sessions. Do the extra work to return.

·        Explore other passions.

o   Join the play. Try art. Really, just try anything that isn’t sports related. It will make you well rounded and take up time that you used to use for extra training.

·        Keep going.

o    This is short term. A growing experience that will form you into the person you are supposed to be. Enable yourself to grow into someone who is more than an athlete.

With that in mind, I would like to leave you with a quote.

 

“Nothing in life has happened to you. It’s happened for you. Every disappointment. Every wrong. Even every closed door has helped make you into who you are” -Joel Osteen

 

Kindly,

Kenzie