Balls bouncing.

Shoes squeaking. 

Whistles blowing.

Sounds one hears at a youth basketball tournament. These are the same sounds senior Emily Aykens hears as she tears her right ACL.

As a typical 7th grade student, Emily loves spending her time outside school playing sports. That gets put on pause as she tears her right ACL. Fearful and not knowing what to expect, Emily enters into surgery and recovery blind. Thanks to her intensive recovery plan along with the continuous support of friends and family, a full recovery occurs and Emily finally regains the ability to do what she loves.

Or so she thinks.

As the first soccer game of her sophomore season progresses, everything seems normal. No cares in the world regarding her right ACL. Unfortunately, her right ACL should not be her concern. 

Shortly into the second half, Emily hits the turf cradling her left knee. Pain and fear surround her along with the team. Slowly, she manages to make it to the bench.

With scans and doctors appointments, Emily’s worst fear comes true. Her left ACL, like her heart, rips in pieces. Lacking motivation and desire, Emily sorrowfully heads into round two of surgery and recovery. Although she knows what to expect the second time, this round proves to be worse. 

“There was a point where there was nothing that made me happy,” Emily sighs sadly. “I didn’t try anything.”  

With the uphill battle of maintaining a positive outlook on recovery and life, Emily’s light at the end of the tunnel remains — hoping to play again her senior season.

Many people who experience two major setbacks, like tearing both ACLs, simply give up; this fails to apply to Emily. 

Everyone undergoes setbacks in life. It’s the response that measures strength and courage. Clearly, Emily is a force of nature.