Being an athletic therapist is not just fixing physical injuries. You really learn to connect with people, get to know them on a personal level, and become invested in their well being. Your heart breaks when theirs does and their success makes your heart burst like nothing else. On the flip side of caring for everyone else, it can definitely feel like there may not be someone who has your back. Until it smacks you right in the face.
I have always been big on talking out your problems - with everyone else. For me, I have a very hard time sharing and opening up. But when it comes to helping others, I always like them to know that they can talk to me about anything and when I see someone is upset, I try and give them a safe space to vent or whatever they need.
I remember being upset about the lack of support from our administrators at school on a medical level. It was late October/early November - the craziest time of the year for us! It always overwhelms me and things on that particular day had been tough. I was visibly upset and walked by one of my male basketball players. He stopped me in the hallway and asked what was wrong. Being as stubborn as I am, I walked away with "I'm fine". He jumped in front of me, grabbed my arm and said, "no, that's not how it works. Tell me what's wrong." I ripped my arm from his hand, tears welling up in my eyes, but before I could say anything, he stepped up with "hey, you always make us talk to you. And you do it because you care about us. Sometimes, it's our turn to take care of you. Lets go have a chat."
That was one of the most profound moments for me. To realize the goodness in the world and know that it's okay to express emotion. To know that the people you care about, care about you and your happiness. To know that it's okay not be strong all the time, that when you can't hold yourself up, there is someone willing to do it for you.
