How a Cheerleading Injury Changes Everything

I have been an all-star cheerleader for 10 years. Cheerleading literally is my life. I think of myself as a very dedicated and hardworking athlete and I love the challenge that cheerleading has provided me throughout the years. I have an Instagram account to serve as a memory and timeline of my journey to The Cheerleading Worlds; my dream destination! When I finally got my full about 2-3 seasons ago, I was excited to clean it up, learn a few specialty passes and try out for my chance to make a Worlds team.

TRYOUTS

I attended tryouts in late May. Boy was I nervous! Day 1 went by and I did extremely well! I had even attempted a new skill! Day 2 came along and I was not as nervous. I was ready to show why I deserved to be on a Worlds team. There was about 30 minutes left in tryouts until I would find out if all my hard work would pay off. I would find out if I would be called back for a Worlds team! The team who attended World’s every year, and even medaled a few times! We had to throw running fulls before our water break. I didn’t really need to think about throwing a full and was able to just let it flow.

I tumbled down the panel and the athlete next to me accidentally fell over and landed on my panel. While mid-air in my full, I heard faint sounds of panic. I glanced down and saw an athlete laying under me. My first instinct was to undercut myself and avoid hitting her. I thought everything would be okay until I landed a half instead and heard a faint popping noise in my right knee. I immediately knew something was wrong and I fell to the ground, yelling in pain. My future coaches ran to my side to see what was wrong. I remember things like my mom coming in and having to be carried to the car.

THE INJURY

We went to the emergency room where after an x-ray, I was told my knee was sprained. I was given crutches, a knee brace, and told to stay off my knee. Soon after I had an appointment to go and see my primary doctor who after only a few minutes of looking at my knee, told me I should go and see an orthopedic doctor. I went to the orthopedic doctor a few days later. After 2-3 minutes of examining my knee, I was told I might have damaged my anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. I of course didn’t want to think that could have possibly been the case. But regardless of what I thought, she gave my this extremely heavy brace. (I got the name “Robocop” at school to go along with it).

I was scheduled for an MRI. After about 1 month of waiting for my appointment, I had my MRI. After about 2-3 weeks of hoping and praying for good results, I was told that I had completely tore my ACL and had a tear in my Lateral Meniscus. I was out for the season and would need knee surgery. The wait time for surgery was about another month.

I started physical therapy to prevent scar tissue from forming. This therapy consisted of me riding on a stationary bike for about 10-15 minutes every visit, stretching my knee, and electric stimulation (or Stem). This was the most mentally exhausting time period for me. As I stated before, cheerleading is literally my life. I felt as though my hard work had gone down the drain. I later found out during team reveals that I had made the Worlds team. My dream team!

I would’ve attended Worlds this year for the first time. I had a chance of earning a medal and ring. All my friends were moving on. They were starting summer training and getting ready for the season. All while I sat injured at home. I felt bad because I feel as though this type of injury is a major setback. It seemed as though I was running out of time to achieve my dream of medaling at Worlds and had missed my first opportunity. I had my surgery in early September, which was nearly 5 months after my injury at tryouts.

SURGERY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY

My 3 hour surgery came and went successfully. My doctor would use my hamstring to build a new ACL and repair my Lateral Meniscus. Now was the hardest part of the process; getting better. I was on bed-rest for about 2 weeks after my surgery. After my follow-up appointment, I was given the thumbs-up to start physical therapy by my doctor. Therapy started and I could barely bend my knee 15 degrees without having pain. I knew then I had a lot of work to do if I wanted to get back on the “Big Blue”. First I started off with only simple exercises that included just lifting my leg up and down, building up my calf muscle and making my quad muscle strong again. I had a set of exercises I did at therapy and I had a set I did at home every morning and night. I have to do these exercises until I stop physical therapy.

The first few weeks were extremely hard. I was balancing coming home from school and going immediately to physical therapy twice per week. Each therapy session left me with a little pain. 6 weeks after surgery I was able to get off my crutches. I gradually got my extension and flexion in my knee up to parr with a few more degrees to go. Since then, I have gotten to the point where I am now able to do squats, and bend my knee to a reasonable degree.

From the beginning when I first found out about my injury, I knew that it would not be easy. Many people have told me that maybe I should just stop cheerleading. I admit, there are times when I agreed. But I know this is not an option. It’s like telling me not to breathe. I have been doing this sport for so many years. Having put in so much blood, sweat, and tears into it I felt this injury wasn’t enough to stop me. I am willing to give up everything I have. Push myself to the limits until my hard work pays off. Just going to Worlds and competing is not enough. I must have a Worlds ring on my finger. I have worked too hard to settle for anything less.

My family, friends, and even Instagram followers play such a big part in motivating me to continue to push myself and better myself until I am able to get back on the mat! So until then, I don’t plan on letting anything stop me. My journey hasn’t ended, I have just taken a detour to the same destination. Medaling at Cheerleading Worlds!