Disabled Diaries

It could always be worse. Every time you’re injured, broken, bruised, scarred; you have to remind yourself that things could be worse. Injuries are an inherent risk of any action sport and you have to understand and accept these risks before partaking. When (if) you do go down and you are laid up for months on end then you will obviously be thinking “What if?” There’s no shame in that, we learn from our mistakes so we don’t make them again. It’s when we think “If I could go back,” that we start wasting our time. Obviously there’s not a time machine waiting for you next to your hospital bed. It’s time to move forward.

People aren’t invincible but it does take a lot to keep one off a bike for more than a few months. Broken limbs happen often and heal quick. Someone with ligament damage can pay the bills for any physical therapist for months or years, but still, that person can get back on a bike within months. Neck protectors, helmets and back armor are so advanced these days that paralyzing injuries are hard to come by. Team racer, Wes Castro came back from one of the toughest injuries (a broken hip) within one race season. The point here is that if you are determined, get to physical therapy and get back in shape. Hair of the dog that bit you usually is the best remedy for me.

Sure, not being able to ride puts a damper on things but there are always hidden benefits to being injured. I broke my foot in a couple places while dirtbiking in Utah a few weeks ago and solving life’s little nuances has actually been pretty fun. Crutches are solid source of entertainment and innovation themselves. Being injured has given me a lot more time to focus on school, video editing, and a plethora of other things that have been backing up. Every time i get injured I learn a lot about myself in term of how fragile (or durable) I am and in terms of pain tolerances. Transportation has been an interesting challenge because my truck is a manual, but my girlfriend has not only been a great chauffeur but she lent me her scooter to get around on.

This whole experience hasn’t hindered me one bit. I have since forgiven my dirtbike and am ready to focus on getting back in shape to finish out this race season and get started on the next one. Anyone out there who is discouraged just needs to look ahead. Make good on what you have right now and look at how you can improve yourself in the future. If your injury was an eye opener and you feel that these kinds of sports are no longer for you then there is no shame in that. If you want to continue, then accept the risks and don’t regret the consequences.