Personal Narrative: My Recovery At Central Middle School

It was the last days of my summer vacation prior to my final year at Central Middle School. Just that morning, I was imagining all of the great opportunities that would present themselves this coming school year. However, in a brief moment, a front handspring gone wrong quickly changed everything, destroyed my nearing future, and left me hopeless.
As I laid in the cold, sterile hospital room, the excruciating pain radiating from my left hip, across my back, and down my leg was unbearable. I did not need the results from the X-Ray or to know what the doctors were whispering about outside my door to realize that something was terribly wrong. As the minutes turned to hours and still no definite answers, I became more and more nervous and anxious. I tried to distract myself by watching Friends on my in-room TV, but visions of the worst-case scenarios kept racing through my mind.
Finally at 1:30 AM, my doctor came in and delivered the news I was dreading to hear. I had torn my hip flexor muscle from my hip bone. Due to the severity of the tear, several small pieces had broken from the bone and were still connected to the muscle. As if the injury was not bad enough, the doctor indicated recovery time would be
anywhere from six to eight months. I instantly began to sob knowing that my final year in middle school would not be anything like I had planned. Instead of being captain of the field hockey team, running down the field, scoring goals to bring my team to victory, I was stuck in a wheelchair unable to walk.
As I left the hospital, my new reality became apparent and I knew my most challenging task was still ahead. I was supposed to audition for the Morris County School of Technology dance major in January. Originally, my teacher enrolled me in more advanced dance classes at my studio to help me prepare, but I was not going to be medically cleared until March. I was determined to figure out a way to shorten my recovery time.
The recovery process was a long, tedious path.
Starting in December, I was still unable to dance, but I had found a new innovative way to begin my training. My doctor recommended that I start physical therapy, and I was able to find Jennifer. She was a physical therapist that was a trained dancer, and I worked with her each day after school for two hours. She knew the best strategies to make my body stronger, while simultaneously helping me prepare for the upcoming audition. Jennifer was the lifesaver that was able to keep my dreams alive during this difficult time. Whenever I felt like giving up she was able to lift me higher and support me in ways I never experienced before. She became my rock, my stable force that pushed me to continue until I reached my
goal.
On January 21st, a mere five months since the accident, I walked into the audition with my brand new leotard and perfect bun. I took my place at the ballet barre, took a deep breath and knew I had done everything I could to prepare for this moment. I was proud of my accomplishments and no matter the outcome I was now ready to begin the next chapter of my life.