From Injury to Advocacy: My Story
By Dani Wymer | IG: @daniwymer
It was an important game at American Select, and I was ready to make a big save. As I lunged with all my strength, I felt a sharp, painful snap in my knee. I had torn my ACL.
The physical pain was intense, but that was only the start. The days after were even harder. I felt frustrated, sad, and mentally drained. Being away from the sport I loved made me feel lost and alone.
Going through surgeries and physical therapy was tough, but the hardest part was dealing with my emotions. I realized that while people often talk about healing the body, they don’t talk enough about healing the mind. The mental struggle was real and exhausting.
However, I’m happy to say that my recovery is going really well. It hasn’t been easy, but with hard work, patience, and support from others, I’ve made great progress. I’ve learned so much about myself during this time.
Here are some tips that helped me through my recovery:
Stay Positive: It’s okay to feel down, but don’t let it control you. Focus on the small wins, even if it’s just bending your knee a little more than the day before.
Lean on Your Support System: Talk to family, friends, teammates, or a therapist. Sharing your feelings can really help.
Set Small Goals: Big goals can feel overwhelming. Break them down into smaller steps to keep motivated.
Take Care of Your Mind: Mental health is just as important as physical health. Try meditation, journaling, or anything that helps clear your mind.
Be Patient: Recovery takes time. Trust the process, even when it feels slow.
Tearing my ACL changed my life. It wasn’t just an injury; it was the start of a new journey where I found strength in helping others. I want injured athletes to know they’re not alone and that taking care of their minds is just as important as healing their bodies.
