Finding Confidence in the Comeback: Reese’s Comeback Story
After tearing her ACL, MCL, and meniscus during a high school gym class kickball game, Reese quickly learned that recovery was just as much mental as it was physical.
“An injury is mentally and physically frustrating,” Reese says. “Be patient and positive.”
With support from the team at Omaha Physical Therapy Institute (OPTI), Reese found the motivation to keep going through the ups and downs of recovery, one small win at a time. Today, Reese is back on the track as a student-athlete at South Dakota State University, running with more confidence than ever.
What was your injury? How did you injure yourself?
I tore my ACL, MCL, and meniscus. I injured myself playing kickball in high school PE class.
What was the most challenging aspect to your recovery?
The most challenging aspect of my injury was my mental health. I struggled with motivation and felt stuck. But overtime I learned to focus on small wins. It ended up being a huge period of growth for me.
What did you learn from your experience being injured?
I learned to enjoy the things you have while they’re in front of you. Days when I saw my peers enjoying sports, made me realize how blessed I am to have what I have.
What did you enjoy most about PT at OPTI?
The things I enjoyed most at physical therapy were the people, especially Katie. They brought me confidence when that was the last thing I had through recovery. I wouldn’t say I was happy about my injury, but I am thankful that it brought me friendships with the people who work at OPTI.
What advice would you give someone that is recovering from an injury?
The advice I would give everyone going through an injury would be take care of your mind, not just your body. An injury is mentally and physically frustrating, be patient and positive.
What have you accomplished since coming back from your injury?
After not thinking I would be able to run the way I used to, I now am a track athlete at South Dakota State University, running with more confidence than I ever had before my injury.
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