Athletes face challenges that can make or break them when coping with an injury. Aside from the physical challenges, an injury can make an athlete feel lonely for periods during and sometimes after the recovery period, as I know all too well. Recently, I became injured while playing rugby, and it has affected my whole lifestyle, from the doctor visits and missing games, to the challenge of just getting up a flight of stairs. In an instant, your independence can be gone.
As a result, injuries can sometimes break athletes mentally, or even make them fall out of love with their sport. So it is important to persevere through this by refusing to see the injury as the end, but instead, vowing to come back stronger.
Why is an injury so hard on an athlete’s mind? I think after being injured, you may find yourself trying to remain involved in sports or physical activities, and not being able to do so can make you feel weak and even make you start to second-guess yourself and your long-term capabilities.
“When I dislocated my elbow, my recovery was difficult in lots of ways, mainly because I wasn’t able to use my arm. Day-to-day activities like brushing my teeth or washing my hair were very difficult. Having to ask for help with these simple things and losing my independence for that short period of time was really hard on me,” said senior Wade Ball.
Even if an athlete comes back from an injury, they may experience self-doubt that they will not be able to perform at the same level as they used to, or even be scared of injuring themselves once again. As a multi-sport athlete, including rugby and track, I know that some injuries can change your body for the rest of your life and may require multiple surgeries. Injuries also do not follow a timeline; they can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anybody. After an injury, most athletes go to physical therapy, which can be helpful, but also requires hard work and even pain. So persistence is key, as is seeking out friends, family members, and even fellow teammates to support your recovery journey.
“When I tore my ACL, my lacrosse team [members] were my biggest supporters. My mom was definitely my number one motivator, and she was always by my side during my whole recovery. I couldn’t have done it without my mom,” said senior Henry Jefferies.
Junior Dawson Raines learned his own hard lessons when he broke his tibia and fibula. “I learned patience from my leg injury because there were no shortcuts with my recovery. I had to keep my head up and stay mentally resilient in order to make sure my thoughts about not returning to sports didn’t clog my mind. I also had to remember that this injury isn’t permanent and I will get better eventually get better,” he said.
Perhaps the best way athletes can cope with injuries is to accept them for what they are and try not to push themselves too hard. One thing is certain: injuries take time to heal, so sit back, follow the advice of your medical professionals, and focus on improving other aspects of your game. Injuries don’t have to be the end or the defining moment in your career as an athlete. Do everything you need to get back to your game, and remember, your game isn’t going anywhere.
