Does anyone have any experience with this? How did you handle it? How did you stay positive and active? I’m looking especially for the experiences of non-recruited athletes.
Well, if you are injured, then you’re injured, you can’t play for your team. Yes, it may be frustrating to not being able to play, but in reality the only thing you can do is cheer for your team. Also, know that you are going to get back on the field again someday and play even harder than before. It’s simple as that.
@orionary I appreciate the sentiment, even if none of your advice is particularly helpful in my case. Thank you.
Not knowing what kind of injury you have, are you still able to attend practice and travel with the team? Can you take on a role like scorekeeper or junior coach for freshman? I agree it is very disappointing not to participate at the end of your high school career but try to think of something you can do to feel included. Alternatively is there a club you have always wanted to do but didn’t due to sports commitment. Again not knowing your injury can you do something different for physical activity such as walk around a track, use an exercise bike or treadmill etc.
@momtogirls2 I am a ski racer and I have a back injury; at this point it is probably a herniated disc. I’m looking into PT at the moment but won’t be scheduling anything until I know for sure what is going on.
Update: I had an MRI, but it was inconclusive and there is still no diagnosis. My first physical therapy appointment is tomorrow morning. For competitions that my parents are going to, I will travel with them and have meals with my team, but other than that, I can’t really participate. I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s difficult.
Today my daughter had a high school skating competition. I thought it was impressive that one girl’s mother drove an hour so her daughter could watch some. She is on crutches having surgery on her ankle so not sure if/when she can return to skating. I’m sure it was hard for her and the girls all felt really bad for her. I know nothing about ski racing but can you hang out with racers in between races or wait at the finish line to cheer them on or something like that?
@momtogirls2 I can have lunch with my teammates, but all of our race venues this year are only accessible by skiing. So, I can’t watch. Luckily, my brother and I are on the same circuit this year, so it’s not like my parents are going for no reason.
Update: I officially have a herniated disc and am in my sixth week of PT and my third week of acupuncture. I haven’t skied in two months, but I’ve been traveling to races with my parents to watch my brother.
I had this, although I was a lot older than you are when it happened. It was a long. slow recovery. PT exercises and limited to just walking or swimming for exercise. It was almost a year long process for me (but I was 50, and you are 17, so you’re could be much faster).