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I know what you are thinking, how are you kind of a division 1 college athlete? Well I am currently a sophomore at the University of the Pacific and I also attended Eastern Washington University last year, both where I was recruited to be on their college volleyball team. Throughout these last 2 years though, I have probably played in a months worth of practices. Not normal, right?

So my first year of college at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington, I decided to have surgery on my right ankle a few weeks prior to the date we had to report on. I broke my ankle a few months before, and was still having nagging pain so the surgery was just a normal scope to clean up any scar tissue that I had built up from the initial injury. Post surgery, my rehab was going amazing, and I went home for my post-op where they said the exact same thing. I started playing for a little while I was home, and I was preparing to hopefully be playing in the season opener in the week following. I came back to Eastern for a little bit, where my trainer FINALLY said I was able to play some volleyball again. 

So that Monday. September 17th 2018, I got ready and started to practice for the first time in just over a month. I wasn’t getting a lot of touches on the ball throughout practice as my coach just threw me into a position that I don’t play. Practice went by for another hour where I didn’t do much, and I spent a lot of the time reffing which was not what I wanted to do at all. Finally we started to play some more and I finally was allowed to jump and swing at balls. My first swing I jump, and sadly come back down hard and I mean hard. I layed there in shock unable to move, while my athletic trainer and coaches surrounded me and moved me to the side of the court. 

I couldn’t tell you exactly what happened honestly but I didn’t think much of the injury, it just kinda felt like I hyperextended my knee which I have done before so I was not worrying at all! The practice went by as I layed on the sideline, and the pain in my knee absolutely skyrocketed. I eventually had to crutch back to the training room, which you should know was SO FAR and DOWN a hill. Not my best time. Time goes by of my icing and all  
the trainers looking at my knee, when they eventually tell me that they
think my ACL is torn. That’s the last thing I thought and the absolute last
thing I wanted to hear. I ended up immediately going to the doctor, where he said the same thing and I have truly never felt more heartbreak. I felt even more heart break when I realized that the recovery time for an ACL was 8-9 months. Not exactly what I wanted to hear when I just started playing college volleyball, and also just recovered
from a previous injury and surgery. I got an MRI in the next few weeks where I was then told my ACL and my MCL were torn. Devastating.

 I’ll save you the many details but I ended up getting surgery a few weeks later, and man I would never wish an ACL injury on anyone. I ended up leaving Eastern Washington after the first semester because of the negative place it was, especially with a knee injury like this. It became hard to be positive and there was no help in the school or athletics either.

Flash forward to the summer of 2019, where I was committed to play volleyball at the University of the Pacific. New school, new team, new ACL and MCL and all seemed good again. But almost a year later and I was still having TERRIBLE pain when trying to straighten my knee, and doing simple things like just walking around. I finally had enough and I went to the doctor for probably the 100th time that year. I have been with this ortho for 4 years so he knows me and knows how my body deals with injuries, so I was super comfortable talking to him and asking him why my knee still feels absolutely terrible. We decided on another MRI to see what everything looked like and to rule out any big injuries, and luckily everything in my knee looked great; which at the same time sucks. I decided to get a second surgery though, just a scope to clean up any possible scar tissue or anything else that could be causing my pain. The surgery went really well and they ended up taking out scar tissue that was keeping me from straightening my knee. So finally after almost a year, I could straighten my knee! A miracle! I ended up finishing my rehab fast and started to slowly get back into volleyball activities. And wow was that the scariest thing ever. You think you are mentally tough until you go through an injury like that and return to the sport you love that at the same time absolutely ripped you apart. I played to the best that I could through pain, then winter break happened, and in January we came back to start the beach season. And who would
have thought that I got hurt… AGAIN! This time brand new pain, and they thought I tore my meniscus until the MRI said otherwise. My MRI came out clear, and the mysteries began as to what the heck is wrong with my knee and even will I step on the court ever in a college game?

Here I am today, waiting on more doctor’s appointments, more PT, maybe more surgery’s but just hoping… that my knee can MAYBE give me a few more years of volleyball. I know it sounds sad and it was probably one of the worst things life has put me through yet, but it has continued to teach me lessons and taught me how to be strong in these tough situations and thankful for everything I have; including perfectly good ACLS.

Are there LGBTQ staff members at an LGBTQ drug & alcohol rehab?

When it comes to dealing with addiction and alcoholism, different stakeholders need to come on board to achieve the best outcome. If the person dealing with the problem is not yet self supporting, then parental involvement is important to help through the process of getting clean. In the case that the person dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction is from the LGBTQ community, there is a need for such to be referred to an LGBTQ drug rehabilitation center.

What is the importance of a LGBTQ rehab center?

As people from the LGBTQ community, we are considered to be part of vulnerable populations. We are often misunderstood and such misunderstandings lead to abuse. In most cases, this comes from people that are in authority and may include healthcare providers. It is therefore important for people from the LGBTQ community to check and ask the question, “Are there LGBTQ staff members at a LGBTQ drug & alcohol rehab”. The answer to this question would inform me as to whether I can trust the staff at this facility to handle my case with utmost understanding or not.
Dealing with drugs and alcohol addiction is already a stressful experience. I consider it a double tragedy for a LGBTQ person to check himself or herself into a rehab where there is no LGBTQ staff. If abuse can arise from any quarter, why not avoid exposing self to abuse by the very same professionals that are expected to help you in the recovery process? Checking yourself into a LGBTQ rehab center will assure you of an encounter that is pleasant. I have realized that the staff at LGBTQ rehab centers are understanding and more welcoming. Addicts need a lot of tender loving care and understanding for them to deal with the addiction and emerge victoriously.

What should I expect to find in an LGBTQ rehab center?

The best LGBTQ rehab center is one that is specifically in service to serve the LGBTQ community such as Inspire Recovery. Rehab facilities that have such a policy in place always ensure that they have staff who have the experience and skills needed to discuss sexual orientation and gender affirmative therapy with their patients. Having LGBTQ health professionals working at the rehab is a plus because it means that LGBTQ patients can openly and freely discuss their thoughts with such professionals knowing that the professionals are like them..
Take the first step today

Are you ready to embark on the journey towards recovery? Take that bold step and check into an LGBTQ rehabilitation center on the East Coast, West Palm Beach, Fl. The friendly staff and the warm atmosphere will ensure that you get the kind of help that you need. Call Inspire Recovery today at 561-899-6088!