How I Broke My Arm: a Figure Skating Accident

Introduction

I often wonder if people love something so much, their love for it is more of a passion. A passion so strong, that without it, they would feel like their being deprived of the oxygen they breathe. If you love something so much that you feel your life would not be complete without it, then congratulations you are a part of a handful of people who feel this strongly about something. However, behind that love lies struggle, hardship, and disappointment. So very often people get torn down and find it difficult to get up because they feel they are not good enough. I’ve felt this in figure skating. I know what it feels like to think that you are not good enough and to want to give up. But, I also know what it feels like to get back up again and feel that you are good enough. The years that I have spent on ice have been a roller coaster of highs and lows, but eventually, I fell in love with the challenges brought in front of me. How I broke my arm in the process, however, strengthened my determination. Ultimately, I’m proud to call this my passion.

Figure Skating: A Perfect Blend of Strength and Grace

From the moment I stepped onto the ice for the first time, I was taught that figure skaters must have the speed of a speed skater, the strength of a hockey player, and the grace of a dancer. Every move, every turn, must be executed with strength and gentleness, the perfect mix. Basically, figure skaters have to be perfect in every way. Reasonably, this terrified me. What if I fall so hard I break something? What if I don't meet everyone's expectations? These thoughts ran through my head for years. Yet, even with my doubts, I carried on. I got better; I got stronger. Then, one day I had the worst fall I ever had.

Discouraging Incident of Me Breaking My Arm

On November 7, 2017, I was practicing for an upcoming competition and while running my program I began my entrance into a jump. I placed my toe-pick into the ice and felt the pressure increase in my foot as I began to launch myself into the air. Then as I pushed my body into the air, I felt myself begin to tilt to the left a little, then a little more. When my foot came back onto the ice, I knew my balance was off. I remember the feeling of my foot slipping out from under me and my body sliding into the wall full speed. My mother made me go to the emergency room, and there the doctor told me I broke my arm in two places and had a moderate concussion. I was devastated because I was told if I received one more concussion I was done skating. This made me question whether I wanted to continue skating or not. I knew if I was hurt one more time I was done. Was it worth it?

A week passed and I was miserable, to say the least. I didn't want to continue, but my mom sat me down and told me that every sport comes with risk. It's just a question of what we are willing to do for the things we love. I thought back to all the work I had put into skating, and I remembered how far I had come. It was in that moment that all I wanted to do was be back on the ice. The way that the blade rips through the ice captivated me, and I knew from there that I didn't just have a love for skating but a passion for it.

Conclusion

The truth is that if you truly love something and have a passion for it, you will go through heartbreak, disappointment, and struggles. But, if you keep your heart set on what you love and keep working for it no matter the obstacles you may find your passion. All it takes is dedication and hard work. 

References

1. Hines, James E. 'The Passion of Sports: Two Cases.' International Journal of the History of Sport, vol. 27, no. 12, 2010, pp. 2051-2062.
2. Ronglan, Lars Tore, and Sigmund Loland. 'The Social Self of Passionate Skiers.' International Review for the Sociology of Sport, vol. 49, no. 4, 2014, pp. 439-453.
3. Scanlan, Tara K., et al. 'The Importance of Passion in Predicting Endorsed Achievement Goals and Academic Engagement.' Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 100, no. 3, 2008, pp. 798-809.