Thanks for the support and kind words posted here. A little over one week since injury, Ashleigh is doing okay. As many of you with ACL experiences know, we are living with a heightened sense of emotion these days. However, the prevailing question, “why?”, is starting to fade as we begin reconstruction and rehabilitation. Surgery is set for June 14.
We are proud of Ashleigh and of how she is handling this situation. As her mother, I felt tremendous guilt for allowing her to play in the game at all, and have claimed that if I had disallowed her participation in the state championship she would be angry but not injured. Still, how do you prove the absence of a negative? And how (pray tell) do you stop a strong-willed athlete from participating in a state championship?? Ashleigh tells me to let it go because there was no way she wasn’t going to at least try to play with her team that night.
Doctors cleared Ashleigh to play as long as she didn’t exhibit a few specific symptoms, and when she was checked pre-game she was clear of all symptoms. Ashleigh sent word to us right before the game that she felt fine, knowing we were worried. Still, I was nervous the entire game as many FM parents will attest, but I trusted (and still trust) her coach completely and knew that he would not put Ashleigh in harm’s way. Jim knows her abilities and communication style and would have sat her down if he thought for a minute that he was endangering her by keeping her on the field.
With Super-Y, ODP and club soccer off her 2005 calendar, Ashleigh is looking to fill her time with other soccer-related activities. Her initial pursuit is to assist a young girls’ team this fall. If we can find the right connections, she also wants to work with special soccer athletes. (Anyone know whom to contact?)
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone in the FM area and throughout the SC soccer community who have shown such positive attitudes and encouragement for Ashleigh!
