Personal Reflective Essay: ACL Tears

I leaped into the air with no doubt about scoring. I catapulted the ball through the goal net, but as I fell towards the earth, my knee gave out and I collapsed onto the steaming hot turf. Instantly, I screamed at the top of my lungs and held onto my knee with dear life. Immediately, I realized what had just happened. Every soccer player's worst nightmare. A torn ACL.
Initially I was making an educated guess because not only did I land on my knee, I was in excruciating pain. But once the MRI results came in, my educated guess turned into the most damaging news I’ve ever received, a torn ACL. I never thought I would hear that. A torn ACL. I’ve always thought ACL tears happened in the major league. Not to a fourteen year old kid whose only dream

was to become a professional athlete.
The doctor repairs my ACL through an extensive surgery and I’m up and running into physical therapy the following day. I was shocked that I had to go the day after because I was in agonizing pain and under heavy dosages of painkillers. The first day of physical therapy was like a military boot camp, brutal and extremely challenging. I looked like I had just pulled myself out of a pool. I remember going home and crying due to the physical pain I had just experienced. But once I noticed results, I wanted to go everyday.
Physical therapy was enjoyable to me.

Even though, everyday, I was a victim of agonizing pain, I loved every minute I was there. My physical therapist was always so considerate and always knew what to say when I wanted to give up. He pushed me past my limits everyday and was always there to motivate me. With the constant encouragement I received and all the hard work I went through, I was able to recover one month ahead of schedule. I wouldn’t have accomplished it without my physical therapist.
I was stronger and faster than ever before, but I was scared. I was horrified in the thought of reinjuring my ACL. Physically I was all set, but mentally I wasn’t prepared. I couldn’t get past my mental barrier. Even when I wore a brace to help stabilize my knee, I couldn’t do it. I could not play soccer the same.
With tearing my ACL I learned what I want to achieve in my life. I want to become a physical therapist. Becoming a physical therapist is more than just a job to me, it’s a way for me to assist others the way my physical therapist did for me. He was there motivating me when I wanted to quit. I want to be their motivation when they don’t have any. I want to push people past their limits. I don’t want anyone to face a setback like I did. Being stuck behind an obstacle is lifeless. You can’t enjoy life to its fullest

potential.