Aftermath in How Ski Patrol Broke Me

It was hard to sleep for a few days because I had cracked the humeral head, torn my rotator’s cuff and labrum and suffered a posterior shoulder dislocation. The doctor had explained to me that only 1% of shoulder dislocations occur posteriorly. Needless to say, when I was run into, I was destroyed- both physically and mentally. I feared what people would think, how they would judge, and how I would progress as a ski patroller. I was also very annoyed because of my history with major injuries. Why me again?

Originally, people were kind and caring about my injury. Then somebody else got hurt and everyone else forgot the extent of my injury. I was told to be sure to wear the black ski pants to work, despite sitting in an office doing data entry… even though I told the supervisor I couldn’t button my pants. I asked if sweats or pull-ons would be OK. The answer was “no,” so I feared the need to use the bathroom. My boyfriend would graciously help me dress, drive, and walk the dog mornings and night- but who was going to help me in the bathroom? I ended up holding my pee and not drinking for 10 hour days.

I really didn’t think anything of it at first. I just figured I was being a dumbass and was too embarrassed to ask for help. The pull-on pants would’ve been easier, but what could I do? They weren’t black. Slowly, but surely, I was able to gather composure, continue to check off my sheet for rookie training, and even nearly catch up to my peers. By the end of the season, the only thing I hadn’t completed was a toboggan test (with understanding from my boss and company). My doctor had never cleared me to do certain toboggan runs.

Some folks had some choice words and opinions, but I tried hard to keep my head up and smile through the pain and annoyance. Believe me when I tell you, if somebody thought my injury was annoying, I guarantee I thought it more annoying than them. I hated myself for being a victim to a hit-and-run. I also hated that it was uncomfortable to drive my car. I hated that I couldn’t walk my dog, again. I hated that I was behind in progression. I was not the kind of person that was the worse in the class… but, here we were.

Last updated October 07, 2021