Overcoming Obstacles
This I believe when out of the ordinary obstacle arise determination and will overcome all. I was a junior on my high school hockey team and we were battling our way through the sectional playoffs. The morning after our victory over our cross town rival, we had a practice. As we were joking around in the locker room after practice there were a few friendly battles taking place. As we undressed I was picking on my friend Ben about something he said. He then came across the locker room to punch me and stepped on my bare foot with his skate.
As I am sure you can imagine how much pain I was going through at this time I was rushed to the ER by my coach. From my middle toe down to my pinky I had severe lacerations, and was losing blood rapidly. I needed the best help I could get. I was to have emergency surgery done, the best foot/joint surgeon in our area happened to be on call that morning. After the surgeons administered two shots of morphine they gave me an analysis on the situation. I was expected to have a 50% chance of not walking or running normally or at all after surgery. The surgery was a success. I had a pin placed in my middle toe and a fused joint along with 69 other stitches throughout the lacerations. I spent the next 3 months in a bed living off of pain killers and sleep. During this period I believed that I would out of this a stronger person.
After the stitches and pin were removed it was time to begin the rehabilitation process. As rehab began it was very trying to think about skating or running. Walking was a daily challenge for another two months. The seasons came to pass summer was here and my senior year of football was looming ahead. I took the time with one of my close friends to immerse myself in intense training and physical therapy. The results were amazing I was chosen for honorable mention all conference and most improved player for football, and played the entire hockey season through a lot of pain.
When high school was through I completed a season as a fullback at UW-Stout and realized that I had accomplished what I had set out to do. This was to defy a trying obstacle and push my way through it. Looking back I know now that there is no obstacle big or small that I might physically or mentally endure that can hold me down. I believe that when enormous obstacles arise those who choose to see the light at the end of the tunnel and will themselves through it can and will.