Hey everyone-

Just wanted to give you a little insight myself since the media world sometimes has a “unique” way of telling stories. For my birthday this year, i had the extreme pleasure and joy of skiing in Colorado with my closest friends to celebrate my big 18th. While having the time of my life there, finishing up my last run of the day, I took a bad fall. I knew as soon as it happened that something had gone wrong, but kept my hopes up and fingers crossed. I managed to tough out the rest of the trip and still have a blast. When i got home, i went to my doctor just to verify that nothing was wrong – even though i knew something was – and was devastated by the results.

The doctor informed me that i had a slight tear in my acl and meniscus and needed knee surgery. For a girl who has never really had an injury before, this came at me like a brick wall. I wasn’t sure how to handle the news so i did what felt natural. I went straight from the doctor’s office to meet up with Coach Chow. With my eyes full of tears and body language reading defeat, Chow shocked me in his response to the news. He was so comforting, so positive – it was just like old times. He told me things happen for a reason. I am now faced with a challenge that i have never had to face before, at a time in my life that i needed it the most. He told me to look at it as a blessing. I have been stumbling this past year and a half, piled with work and busy with travel – struggling to figure out what it is i want to do with my life and if i want to continue in gymnastics. I could never really feel any clarity – to read what was in my heart – or simply have the time to sit down and listen. Well, now that i’m faced with a road of recovery, i have time. I have time to reflect, time to myself and time to figure out who i am.

The one thing that scared me the most when this happened was that possibly i could not return to gymnastics even if i wanted to. Up until now, i’ve always had that option, so i’ve always been comfortable. The thought that option might be gone killed me!

So hearing Chow say that the option will always be there was music to my ears. He did say it will be much more difficult – not just mentally, but physically as well – to come back to the sport after an injury. It is going to take time and a lot of work, but if i am willing to commit to it, it can be done. Something else he said that really meant a lot to me was that he could still see in my eyes that i had a heart for the sport. Knowing and seeing how devastated i was at the fact i might not be able to return to gymnastics showed him how much the sport really meant to me.

So, as of today, i am 4 days out of surgery, struggling with crutches, tripping over everything, and feeling really weird not being able to walk for the first time, but also feeling comfortable with where i stand. Again, i’m not committing to a comeback of any sort, but i have set up with Chow that gymnastics will definitely be a part of my recovery. It’s a great way to get back in shape and to start figuring things out, along with rehabbing my knee. Things aren’t going to be easy for the next 6 months, but i’m excited to see what comes of all this new time i have on my hands. I have no regrets about going skiing, because i was having the time of my life, and i have nothing but positive thoughts going into recovery. Life is crazy, unexpected and unpredictable. All i can hope is that, along with the love and help of my family, you will be there supporting me in whatever it is i do!

Love, Shawn