Parents Would you tell your DD if you thought the doctor was about to retire her from gym?

[profmom]

I'm glad the conversation has started.

I was there in the gym the day that one of my son's much older teammates came by to pick up his grips. He was a very strong L10, but his wrists just could not tolerate it. He cried. His mother cried. The coach cried. I think it was in his sophomore year of high school, and he felt like his entire universe had collapsed.

He recently graduated from college. He attended on a pole vaulting scholarship after picking up a pole for the first time, I believe, for the outdoor track season of his sophomore year. Set the state record as a senior. And just a few days ago, I heard from a very proud papa that his daughter, who had to leave gym her sophomore year after a couple of very bad injuries, has nailed down a diving scholarship, following in her ex-gymnast sister's footsteps.

And even if an athletic scholarship is not in the cards, all of the discipline and perseverance she has learned will stay with her forever, and I guarantee you, will help her not just to get into college, but to make the most of it while she's there.

If gymnastics has to end, there will be life afterward. All good thoughts and hopes for you and her as you walk this road together.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

Long story short, none of these results were revealed during a visit. x-rays were taken at chiro; results were sent to ortho and radiologist, who each called me with results and recommendations for spine specialist.

She pinned me down with questions tonight, and I told her there was a chance that this injury would result in the doctor telling her she couldn't do it anymore. Wasn't how I would have done it, but questions were voluminous and specific, so I had to either stonewall or tell her what I knew. She hasn't reacted much, but knowing her, she's concocted a path forward in her head and she's convinced herself that's the one. She did ask how she could do scholarship college sports if she couldn't do gym. Not sure if that's because she wants the experience, or because she thinks she needs an athletic scholarship to even attend. Will have to keep talking on that one.

Well you answered my questions. Because I too was wondering how she could not of known what the other docs said....

And was going to say let the doc handle it unless she asked. If she asks be truthful. And clearly you are there. So now let her sit with a bit. See what the next doc says and go from there.

 

[gymmutti]

Very sorry to hear this. I know from other conversations how much your DD loves the sport and it is so painful if they have to leave it before they are ready. I think you have handled it well so far and I hope the visit with the spine specialist provides more clarity as to her future.

 

[scanlri]

I am just getting the chance to read this thread. I am so sorry for what your dd (and you) are going through right now. I am totally empathetic as we are facing the exact same situation right now. I have been very open with my dd through all of this - every Dr. visit, Chiro visit, radiology visit. I haven't said that it could be career ending, but I have been honest that I don't want to see her in pain the rest of her life - that her long term health is my priority. She has been out of gym completely for six weeks now. I suspect she is much like your dd as she still is working on a path forward to stay on track for her goals.

Good luck with everything with your dd. I truly hope that it works out for the best!