To the Girl Healing from a Traumatic Injury

In March of 2021, I was in a cheerleading accident that resulted in a severe concussion. To say that it was life-changing would be a understatement. I couldn’t drive for 10 months, and for the first full year of my recovery, I couldn’t run or lift weights—I couldn’t really exercise at all. I was in physical therapy, speech therapy, vision therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and was diagnosed with a cardiovascular autonomic disorder (POTS) caused by the trauma of my brain injury—I was a shell of myself and learning to trust my body again.

There was a time when I truly believed I would feel 60% normal for the rest of my life … but it’s been over 4 years since the accident now, and this is the most I’ve felt like myself since. If you’re discouraged in your healing … keep going. God is preparing you for big things, good things.

Know that you are made for so much more than what you can do at a workout, practice, or game. You are made to show the love and tenderness of God, to share your story, and to empower others to keep showing up in their recovery, too.

I want you to know that you’re incredibly brave. I’m proud of the person you are right now, regardless of where you are in your journey—healing is hard and not linear. So like the woman in the Bible (Matthew 9:20-21), keep reaching for the fringe of His robe, even when healing seems unreachable. You got this!

As always, this is a piece of my heart. Consider it yours. 🦋