Seeing the cheerleader from Southern Illinois get injured the other
night was sad. I enjoy seeing people get fired up about
competition and, say what you will about cheerleaders, she was fired
up.
It was also encouraging to see her moving around after getting
hurt. You want to see movement from anyone with that type of
injury, BUT . . . am I the only one who thinks she wasn't thinking when
she started throwing her limbs around like that? ESPN applauded
her enthusiasm. I couldn't get past the neck brace and
backboard. Wave. That's enough to tell everyone you're
OK. Don't move like that when the medics are trying to immobilize
you.
School spirit is great. Being on ESPN is cool. Neither is worth being paralized for life.
I remember breaking my wrist and being unable to use my right hand for
8 months. That was nothing compared to what this young woman
faced, but it transformed my perspective on thse things. Take
care of yourself! You only get one body. Medicine can do
incredible things, but your body is never the same and I'm sure there
are many who can speak about that better than I can.