Unfortunately, it often takes an accident, mishap and or a trip to the emergency room to appreciate a healthy functioning body. During my junior year of high school, I spent 3 months on crutches. I went from running cross country to hobbling up and down the hallway, trying not to be late for class. Attempting to do almost any normal activity was a chore, taking twice as much time and leading me to feel helpless.

In this state of despair, swim season arrived. Once my stitches were removed following surgery, I convinced my doctor to allow me to begin rehab by swimming. Although I had to take my crutches into the pool area, I felt freedom inside the water. While I could not use the starting blocks or do a flip turn with both legs for a few weeks, swimming for those 2 hours, 5 days a weeks, brought a sense of normalcy back into my life. In a Hollywood ending, the Lord enabled my 200 Individual Medley Relay to earn a bronze medal, placing 3rd at the state meet held at the University of Delaware.
