Personal Narrative: The Softball Disappointment

The Softball Disappointment It is the bottom of the ninth and I was last at bat. The ball came zooming towards me at a high rate of speed. The vibration of metal meeting leather rang out in my hands. No hesitation was made. I dropped the bat and ran as fast as I could to first base. My coach was telling me to keep going because the ball was fumbled. I rounded third base and my coach motioned for me to take it home with a slide. Down I went. Dust was flying. The crowd was standing and cheering loudly as the referee motions and yells, “Safe!” All I heard was screaming as dust still loomed the air around me. I could manage to see my team going wild, jumping, and screaming. Everyone seemed to be celebrating except me. I am lying on the ground,
unable to move my right leg. My coach rushes over to me and tries to figure out what is wrong. The pain was intense. I could not stand. I hear someone yell, “Call 9-1-1!” The sirens were loud and the pain was still so very real. After x-rays and pain medication, the doctor comes in and says, “Young lady, looks like you’ve completely torn your adductor muscle in your right leg. I am sorry to tell you this, but it does not look like you will ever be able to play ball again. It will take many months of healing for you to be able to walk without pain. I’m sorry.” The doctor left me with these words.
For weeks, I cried.
I could not understand how this could happen. My life was going as planned and this occurred. The only thing I ever really cared about doing in life was taken from me. I received a letter in the mail from my first choice school, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “Congratulations! We would like to extend an offer for you to join our softball team during the next season with a full scholarship to the program of your choice.” I was so excited. I could not believe they chose me out of all other athletes vying for the spot. Not being able to play was something I was never going to get over. I thought to myself, could I still attend this school even though I cannot play softball anymore? Would they still accept me even though I was broken? I was so torn up inside. I was not sure what to do next. Just then, I received another letter from my second choice school, the University of Maryland at College Park. The letter stated, “Congratulations! We would like to extend an offer for you to play softball with our Lady Terps next semester with a full scholarship to the program of your choice.” All I could do was cry. I was now left with two schools; the only two schools where I applied. I called both schools, informed them of my injury, and was told the full scholarship was under the condition I would come play softball for
them.
At this point, I felt like a failure. Sure, I could have easily applied to other schools or even registered at the local community college; however, this incident caused me to have depression and I felt like I was not good enough for any schools. I have never been able to get over the pain of this injury. I felt I had failed my parents and myself. After many dead-end jobs and living paycheck to paycheck, I decided it was time I did something for myself and my children. I want to show my children that no matter what obstacles get in your way you can still persevere. I want to be a role model for them. I have since started my positive path towards success and am looking forward to continuing this journey.