Derby injuries make us table-flipping mad, yo. So you’re injured. This is a full-contact sport, after all. And even though you exercise and eat right and do everything you can to take care of your body, shit’s gonna happen, seemingly at the most inconvenient times. But really, when is an injury convenient? “Oh, you want to assess up to the advanced level of rec league? Here! Take a concussion!” “Oh good, you just made Texas’ premier league? Better break your rib!” So while we sit here whining about the unfairness of it all, woe are we, everything is terrible, etc., we want to help you maintain your sanity while dealing with injury. We both got hurt within a day of each other, so our timeline so far has looked relatively similar: Day 1: Everything is fine! It kind of... hurts a little, but it’s totally fine. A week TOPS and I’ll be back in the game! Day 4: Still feeling overwhelmingly terrible, but it’s nothing a few more days of rest can’t fix, I’m sure of it! Day 7: HOLY SHIT. I CAN’T TAKE THIS. Day 12: This is never going to end, is it? My derby career is over. Done with. Kaput. Day 18: Okay, I’m gonna skate today! I can’t wait! I’m totally ready! Day 19: I’ve made a huge mistake. Day 25: [sits in tepid bath, sobbing] Sound familiar? Self-pity can come on strong and swift around week 2, and most serious injuries take 6 weeks to heal at the very least, if you behave and don’t struggle (spoiler, we’re both super bad patients). Concussions and broken ribs have something in common: you really shouldn’t be doing much of anything during recovery. Just breathing with a broken rib hurts like hellfire, and everything you do on a daily basis, derby or otherwise, involves your core. Guess where your ribs are? Your core! Concussions mean rest of all kinds. No moving OR thinking. For people who are used to thinking, making, doing, writing, reading, moving… well, it’s just torture for us. How are we supposed to come out on the other side of this without a screw loose? Here are a few tips we hope you’ll find useful. What we learned (and are still learning): · Go to the doctor. If you have to ask, “Should I see a doctor?” then the answer is YES. Don’t be a dumdum. · When you’re at the doctor, bring a list and ask lots of questions! Do not leave the doctor’s office wondering about something that you easily could’ve gotten an answer about or it will drive you crazy. Wear that doctor out. · If you are like us, you let your skating talk for you and hide quietly in the corner when the skates come off. Do not be upset if it suddenly seems like your community is disrupted, it might just be that people never knew that you actually existed (Just kidding. We think). ...okay, that’s a joke, but it’s easy to feel that way when you’re suddenly ripped out of your pack. If you’re able, stay active in the derby community. Go to practice. Participate by blowing a whistle or holding a stopwatch. Volunteer yourself for things, like NSOing at scrimmages. · When you feel unnatural and confused because you aren’t allowed to skate, that’s when you know it’s become your lifestyle and is truly a part of you. Like a good kind of leech. Or The Hypnotoad. ALL GLORY. · There was life before skating. Maybe some things you love to do got left behind when you took up derby? Try those out again. You might just find that you’ve missed them! Gravy and Tesla
1 Comment
Erika
12/9/2014 01:43:59 pm
I love this! I had a really bad sprain this summer and my ligaments are finally not popping all over the place. I miss TXRG rec league so much and want to come back next session. This made me happy. <3
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Tesla and GravyJust two rollergirls trying to share the rollerlove from Austin, TX to the world. Archives
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