Injury Fear

Our DD just played in her last regular season varsity basketball game. All that's left is a playoff game or two. Anyone who has witnessed a girls bb game at this level has seen the physical nature of these events. It is a violent sport on the best day. So, what I'm wondering is just how many parents out there are agonizing over potential injuries like we are? Track season starts in three weeks and we are already dreading hurdles. It's our understanding that the SA's will retract her appointments if she suffers a significant injury. She's holding her ROTC scholarship in her back pocket for this very reason. So much for he thought of stress going away with the appointments!

I remember feeling this way last year before our DD left so you are not alone! And then when your DD begins BCT you will find yourself searching pictures on WebGuy hoping that she is well and able to complete that! But at some point you do begin to accept that you really have no control over most of the horrible scenarios that play through your head. A researcher I admire calls thinking of all the horrible things that can happen when you are experiencing incredible joy (i.e., your DD's appointment) "foreboding joy". It's as if we somehow think we can protect ourselves (and those we love) from something happening if we imagine all the bad things that can go wrong. So, I am learning to just lean into the joy and be grateful Easier said than done but I try nonetheless. I also have a bracelet that I wear when I am really starting to stress out that says "It is what it is". It reminds me to stay in the moment and just enjoy

Sorry if this is rambling but I just want to encourage you to enjoy these last few games and then track season with all of the hurdles (literally and figuratively!) that are ahead. You will never stop worrying but maybe just being grateful for all of the good that is happening can bring you back to the now.

Congrats to your DD and to your family!

PaParent said:

Our DD just played in her last regular season varsity basketball game. All that's left is a playoff game or two. Anyone who has witnessed a girls bb game at this level has seen the physical nature of these events. It is a violent sport on the best day. So, what I'm wondering is just how many parents out there are agonizing over potential injuries like we are? Track season starts in three weeks and we are already dreading hurdles. It's our understanding that the SA's will retract her appointments if she suffers a significant injury. She's holding her ROTC scholarship in her back pocket for this very reason. So much for he thought of stress going away with the appointments!

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Thanks for the words of encouragement! It doesn't help that she's the "heavy" on the bb team. She uses all 5'4" 120 lbs to "move" the immovable or harass the big scorer for the opposition into anger or retaliation. It works, but she's gotten a black eye, numerous bloody noses, and a busted knuckle just within the last two weeks! I can hardly wait for the season to end! She'll be one hell of a soldier tho, absolutely fearless and ferocious when necessary.

Pa, I understand completely! DS does not have a SA appointment yet, but does have an ROTC scholarship. My DS plays soccer in an indoor league that is actually quite "mild mannered" compared to last year's indoor league, however, he has had to fill in for the goalie on 2 occasions. I literally can't watch! To top it off....he is going skiing in a few days (he has only been twice). Track is also a fear as he has mentioned trying hurdles this year....we will definitely be talking about that one!
I understand about the basketball, DS played JV for 2 years and was the "heavy" - constantly blocking opposing players and getting knocked on his hiney. DS has suffered 2 concussions so wears a "concussion" headgear when playing soccer (and basketball those years). Will it truly prevent another concussion? Not sure, but it gives me a little peace of mind.

Try DD in Ice Hockey and Lacrosse after LOA. My heart was in my mouth every time she hit someone or went down. Although in women's ice hockey it is only "incidental contact" and Lacrosse can be an accidental stick to the head, you have to let them do what they want to do. But you still dread those last few months. Good luck to your "one hell of a soldier". DD is now 1st LT Marine so it will work out.

DS has appointment and soccer season this year has be unbearable for me! As center defender he's the last defender before goalie, and plays with all his heart. Everytime he gets taken out in a game I just cringe!! CIF playoffs start next week! I just want this season DONE! Fortunately next he swims and hopefully I won't find it as stressful.

right there with you! DS wrestles and post season journey is underway. this weekend, in one breath I said to myself "Yay! He qualifies for districts!, and then "Darn! he qualifies for districts!" and the worrying continues. Everytime an opponent wrenched on his arm this season, it would make me a nervous wreck.

Glad to know I am not the only neurotic parent out there! My DS has his appointment to the Air Force Academy and I just want to wrap him in bubble paper till I deliver him to BCT on June 26th. He is doing high jump in track right now and is going skiing next month. Of course, watching the terrible falls in the Olympics right now doesn't help my anxiety. I think I imagine the worst case scenario just so whatever does happen can't be as bad as what I have imagined. But a few deep breaths and some prayers and I realize that my anxiety will not change what will happen. I think worrying about your children is in the job description of being a parent, but I have to trust that someone higher than me has it under control and what is meant to be, will be.

I have the same fear. My DD starts lacrosse season beginning of March and I don't know how I'll watch those games without my heart in my throat. My daughter is also the "heavy" and plays midfield. She is something to be reckoned with. I have to have faith that she will not meet her reckoning.

I can relate...

Yep, DS water polo season starts next week... it's going to be a lonnnnnng season.

You cant worry yourself to death on this but just be careful. Three years ago when we dropped off our son there was another candidate at the same hotel. We talked in the lobby. He was a lacrosse player. When we went to get our seats for the R Day parade he was sitting in the bleachers in front of us. It turned out he had been injured after his appointment and had not passed the R day recheck. It happens.

Yep! DS has so much ahead of him, but in between now and R-Day is his Senior Lacrosse Season.

All we can do his pray for his safety. Not letting him play his senior year was NOT an option, even though that was a suggestion.

I just want to make sure I understand this....

did you just say basketball is a "violent sport on a good day?"

I played ice hockey and soccer before R-Day at CGA. I rolled my ankle and had the fear I broke/tore something. I didn't and it healed. That was a full check hockey league and varsity soccer. I COULD have broken something... but I didn't.


Someone close to me was seriously injured in slow pitch softball, where 99% of the time she would have been OK, that day, that play and a split second made the difference.

People get hit by cars, they get hit by trains, they crash in planes, their dog gets spooked and drags them by their collars, they roll their ankles off of sidewalks and they bang their heads on bookshelves.

There are a million ways to get hurt or die, and at some point both will happen. I understand avoiding injury, but bubble wrapping them means nothing. Let them play the sports they've played for years. Tell them no playing chicken with their friends' cars or new dangerous activities, but I think it's OK to let them play. That said, I'm sure we have plenty of examples of people who were hurt before their reported and never had their "time" at an academy as a result.

Yes it is. We played in a womens tourney last year in central Pa and there were 7 concussions and 4 ambulance calls over two days!

PaParent said:

Yes it is. We played in a womens tourney last year in central Pa and there were 7 concussions and 4 ambulance calls over two days!

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Now that sounds like a fun kind of basketball to watch. If only they would get rid of the refs, and give the players gloves to drop.

I'm not going to compare sports too much, but I've played enough games to see the different between an ankle spain and a skate cutting to the bone of a teammate. We may define "violent" differently, OR I missing some good basketball out there, which I hope will take the place of the NBA!

Bubblerap

We had same issue with DS.. High school Quarterback and State ranked Wrestler.. Fortunatly he was able to finish Football but unfortunatly had to cut his wrestling career short do to fear of injury..
He might of given up a wrestling title but it is all worth it..
No regrets. And never looked back!