I started cheering when I was 4 and it is still my whole life. In 2010 I was on a large junior level 3 at Stars Vipers. It was around NCA and I started complaining of my back hurting. The parents and gym owner had a meeting and told my parents that I have been in pain, but it was probably just sore muscles that are hurting. My mom said it was just muscles that were sore! I competed NCA and the rest of the competitions that season and my back still hurt. We just finished choreo for the new season and my mom decided to take me to the doctor. We did X-rays and they found nothing.
The doctor said come back in 2 weeks if it still hurts. Of course it still hurt, so we went back and they referred us the orthopedic doctors. Those doctors decided to get me a CT scan and I ended up finding out that I had fractured my L4 and L5 pars bilaterally. I couldn’t cheer for 3 months and I felt so bad!
The doctors told me that if my back still hurts after the 3 months were over and I kept doing things, I could potentially become paralyzed.
I never missed a practice while I was out.
After those months, the doctors cleared me to cheer again. Right before NCA the coaches decided that they wanted me to compete, so I did. . .I won NCA that year!
Then, about two years ago, my foot was hurting and it wouldn’t stop. We went to the doctor and they gave me a boot to help me try and stay off of it. On my way to NCA that year, my doctor called my mom and told her I was to stop activity.
I ended up having a torn ligament and really close to almost another torn ligament. I was in a boot for 3 months. . .but through motivation, determination and commitment – I am now back and better than ever!
Thank you for letting me share my story. –cheerFIT Ambassador Erika Bodenhausen