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“We deem those happy who, from the experience of life, have learned to bear its
ills without being overcome by them”- Juvenal
A 17-year-old patient came into our clinic after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), playing soccer and having it repaired. A 45-year-old came into our clinic after a rotator cuff repair from playing club volleyball. A 68-year-old with osteoarthritis in his knee came into our clinic after having had a total knee replacement. He had been a runner for years and had played pickleball for the last few years.
What do all these patients have in common? They will all have times when they will be discouraged. They will all have difficulty and may, at times, feel defeated. If they want a great result, it will be necessary for them to persevere through these struggles in order toachieve the goals that motivated them to have surgery.
For the 17-year-old, she may want to get back to soccer this minute because it is hersenior year; the year she has been working hard and planning for her entire life. Shemay be the team captain or the best defender or a key player. This major setback, in hermind, could be like the end of the world to her. Will she ever play again? Will shealways have pain? Will she limp? How could such a thing happen to her? She has workedso hard to get to this moment; her senior year on the team.
For the 45-year-old, similar stressful questions come to her mind. She played in college on scholarship. Volleyball is still a big part of her life. She still plays competitively. Will she play again? Volleyball has been so much a part of her life and such a great outlet for life’s pressures. What will she do now?
For the 68-year-old, believe it or not, similar questions or fears come to his mind. He has always been so active. He has always been the younger 50-year-old. He has always been the younger 60-year-old. He loved being able to compete at levels most of his peers could only dream about. Will he now be finished with sports? Will he be able to stay as young as he had hoped after this major surgery?
As the quote above infers, every one of these patients needs to decide to live through the difficult challenges and stay as positive as possible during their journey. They can get discouraged, but not for long. They must, as hard as it is, delay gratification. Unlike many of us, when we refuse to exercise or refuse to limit the potato chips, cake or ice cream, even when we might be diabetic, the patients we see, in most cases, do choose hard. They do put up with the necessary pain and exercises at home to attain their goals.
Every patient that walks, crutches or wheelchairs into our clinic has a choice. They can choose to work as hard as possible, overcome their feelings of discouragement, fears of being defeated and even being pressured at times, in order to achieve their overall goals. Their goals are based on hope and belief in their physical therapists and their ability to withstand the necessary pain and hard work to achieve their goals.
If you are going through physical pain and/or emotional struggles, if you recently had a surgery or a fall which is leaving you feeling hopeless or without direction, please reach out to find a caring healer. I know we are very equipped to help you find your way back.
Enjoy the journey,
Fran McDonald President/CEO
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