The school year is winding down to an end, (finally) and I am happy to say that senior year has been everything I hoped it to be.

This year threw a lot of obstacles at me, however with my life, every negative action is accompanied by a positive reaction. No matter how unfortunate these events may seem, I never let them get the best of me.

August 5th, 2016: I endured my second hip surgery — yes, you read that correctly, second. You probably caught a picture of me in the Journal Tribune marching in the senior parade with a crutch and bionic hip. Trust me though, I don’t recommend surgery. I spent the last two summers in a body that was helpless. Of course on the bright side, being pain free made me an overall  happier person. I’ve been privileged to forge a lifelong friendship with my physical therapist.

All was good till October 19th, 2016. Lying on the verge of death due to sickness, I crawled out of bed looking to occupy myself, and ended up walking into my bedroom door. However, it doesn’t end there though. Two days later I was hit in the face again by a swinging wooden door. Thanks Destination Haunt, you ruined my Halloween experience. You can probably guess that I ended up with a concussion, and led to ultimate stress with not being able to take SAT’s while trying to apply to college. This was a very emotional chunk of my senior year, but supportive parents are all you need. But hey, impact testing is like a 5th grade spelling bee to me now.

December 26th, 2016: I totaled my poor 2004 Ford Explorer. This probably saddens me the most because it was Christmas time and getting a phone call from their crying daughter was probably the last thing my parents wanted. The best part about this terrifying experience was meeting the spitting image of a character from my favorite television show, Shameless. He happened to be the EMT that guided me out of the wrecked car. Driving by the severed telephone pole every day made me realize how lucky I was to exit that car with only a couple bad bruises and a bump on the head. I like to think I am a much more aware driver. Never again will you see me hitting my brakes on ice covered roads though.

April 15th, 2017: a mere two days before my birthday, I collided with a runner in a softball scrimmage. Hyperextending my elbow, I was out the rest of the game due to a sprained UCL. I thought I could go just one season without an injury, but I guess someone is testing to see how much my body can handle. In the split second that an injury occurs, an insane amount of adrenaline pumps through you. I was split between wanting to scream in pain or still try to make the out since I had the ball in my glove. I don’t really remember which I did but I was able to gather myself up and walk off the field. I remind myself of a robot, now that I’ve added a bionic arm to the list. Regardless, playing through an injury is second nature to me. I wouldn’t want to be spending my senior year with any other team.

Long story short, don’t let obstacles be an inconvenience for you. Laying in my bed all day moping about the hip pain was not an option for me. I wanted to start physical therapy as fast as I could, and immediately I was biking for 15 minutes a day.  Although I lost my car in the accident, the weather made me a much more aware driver. Remaining optimistic is essential when life hits you hard. Be determined and have goals. Also, laughing at yourself once in awhile is okay. Despite being cliche, everything happens for a reason whether you believe it or not and life is what you make of it.