capnamerca
500+ Posts
I didn't tell anyone at the time, but about two years ago, my cousin in Houston was on a track to become an olympic-level gymnast. I don't say "olympic" because she's probably going to end up being too big to actually compete at that world-class level, but from the age of about six or seven she was competing and winning contests throughout the state in gymnastics, across all disciplines at all types of meets, and was beginning to work out with junior olympic teams. Anything in the houston area, she won, period.
Two years ago, almost to the day, she suffered a horrific accident. While on the uneven bars, she missed her grip on a transition move. In the fall, she broke BOTH of her forearms - four compound, exposed fractures. There wasn't a type of break that's possible on the lower arms that is worse. Doctors took many hours to set all four bones, and despite their best efforts, massive infection set in (not uncommon due to the time she was open during surgery). To effectively heal, her arms had to be kept OPEN for more than a week. You read that right - open wounds, lightly covered in bandages. Over the next six to eight months, trials worthy of Job awaited my cousin. The reconstruction on her forearms left her without movement in her fingers, that only painful and intense PT would restore. The scars from multiple surgeries left their marks from bicep to fingers, and would require several skin grafts to even close normally (not much they could do for the look of them). Medicine upon medicine was needed for infection, strength, muscle recovery, and the like. Simple things, like going to the restroom, became embarassing ordeals that she couldn't handle by herself. Especially for a girl who was used to being completely, 100% self-reliant (you've never seen someone so headstrong), and the best at whatever she did, to need someone's help to tie your shoes and use the restroom was more than a 12 year old should have had to go through.
Over time she got better. The arm braces came off, and then the bandages did. The skin graft surgeries continued, but this time for astethics and not for health reasons. Her finger strength and dexterity returned, almost to pre-injury levels (I'm not sure, but I think she has 100% recovery in this area). Obviously, she didn't want to do gymnastics anymore, but in it's place she took up cheerleading (our family LOVED this - she's the #1 tomboy of all time, but she took to cheerleading like a duck to water). Slowly, the bubbly, strong, willfull, little girl - no, young adult - returned, although her life was forever changed.
And then I get this email from her mother today -
"Hi all,
Don't know how many of you were aware, but <my cousin> returned to gymnastics competition this weekend. This was two days shy of the two-year anniversary of her accident, and was hosted by the same gym where she was injured (although the meet was held at an area high school). Her coach decided she needed to skip bars this meet, but she did pretty well - even coming in FIRST place on floor. They had her stand up at the end of the meet after telling her story. Thanks to all of you for making this miracle possible - our family puts out some powerful prayers!"
I have no idea what level the competition was at, and I don't care. I also want to point out that she did more than show up, which I'm not so sure I could have done, but then she WON the damn floor exercise! I want to tell the entire world about her, because my little (not so little anymore, I guess) cousin is one of the strongest women I've ever met. Of course, she's the latest in a long line of women survivors in my family, which includes three rounds of breast cancer, broken hips, trauma, infidelity and teenage pregnancy. She was in good hands from day 1, and I couldn't be any prouder.
I also sent a special note of thanks to her two sisters, one older and one younger. What a support system she must have needed to get her back to where she was yesterday - that family is so strong and so great.
I just had to share - thank you for listening.
Two years ago, almost to the day, she suffered a horrific accident. While on the uneven bars, she missed her grip on a transition move. In the fall, she broke BOTH of her forearms - four compound, exposed fractures. There wasn't a type of break that's possible on the lower arms that is worse. Doctors took many hours to set all four bones, and despite their best efforts, massive infection set in (not uncommon due to the time she was open during surgery). To effectively heal, her arms had to be kept OPEN for more than a week. You read that right - open wounds, lightly covered in bandages. Over the next six to eight months, trials worthy of Job awaited my cousin. The reconstruction on her forearms left her without movement in her fingers, that only painful and intense PT would restore. The scars from multiple surgeries left their marks from bicep to fingers, and would require several skin grafts to even close normally (not much they could do for the look of them). Medicine upon medicine was needed for infection, strength, muscle recovery, and the like. Simple things, like going to the restroom, became embarassing ordeals that she couldn't handle by herself. Especially for a girl who was used to being completely, 100% self-reliant (you've never seen someone so headstrong), and the best at whatever she did, to need someone's help to tie your shoes and use the restroom was more than a 12 year old should have had to go through.
Over time she got better. The arm braces came off, and then the bandages did. The skin graft surgeries continued, but this time for astethics and not for health reasons. Her finger strength and dexterity returned, almost to pre-injury levels (I'm not sure, but I think she has 100% recovery in this area). Obviously, she didn't want to do gymnastics anymore, but in it's place she took up cheerleading (our family LOVED this - she's the #1 tomboy of all time, but she took to cheerleading like a duck to water). Slowly, the bubbly, strong, willfull, little girl - no, young adult - returned, although her life was forever changed.
And then I get this email from her mother today -
"Hi all,
Don't know how many of you were aware, but <my cousin> returned to gymnastics competition this weekend. This was two days shy of the two-year anniversary of her accident, and was hosted by the same gym where she was injured (although the meet was held at an area high school). Her coach decided she needed to skip bars this meet, but she did pretty well - even coming in FIRST place on floor. They had her stand up at the end of the meet after telling her story. Thanks to all of you for making this miracle possible - our family puts out some powerful prayers!"
I have no idea what level the competition was at, and I don't care. I also want to point out that she did more than show up, which I'm not so sure I could have done, but then she WON the damn floor exercise! I want to tell the entire world about her, because my little (not so little anymore, I guess) cousin is one of the strongest women I've ever met. Of course, she's the latest in a long line of women survivors in my family, which includes three rounds of breast cancer, broken hips, trauma, infidelity and teenage pregnancy. She was in good hands from day 1, and I couldn't be any prouder.
I also sent a special note of thanks to her two sisters, one older and one younger. What a support system she must have needed to get her back to where she was yesterday - that family is so strong and so great.
I just had to share - thank you for listening.
