Navigating Recovery: A Lesson in Resilience from an Indianapolis AlleyCat Veteran. Pt 1.
In the world of sports, setbacks are often viewed as the ultimate challenge, testing the resilience and determination of athletes to push through adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. Joey Cari, a current player and founding member of the inaugural 2012 AlleyCats team, shares his personal journey of facing a career-threatening injury and finding the courage to continue pursuing his passion.
"I Broke My Strong Hand; Now What"
It was 3 a.m. on an otherwise ordinary Thursday. Life once again had thrown a curveball at me. Amidst the silent echoes of anticipation for the upcoming season, possibly my last, I found myself grappling with a complete fracture of my second metacarpal - a result of a routine dive gone awry during a rec league game. This incident wasn't just a physical setback; it was a mental and emotional trial, testing my resolve, my passion for ultimate Frisbee, and my identity as an athlete.
My Hand is Broken, but Coffee’s Still Hot
A story from an Indianapolis AlleyCat
It’s 3am on a Thursday and I’m up for the day. Laundry is going, coffee is hot and dark, and here we are wishing for more sleep, but feeling the pressure and anxiety of a pending season, maybe the last.
So much to do, not enough time, too much time, not enough of me. Job, side job, coaching, fitness, recovery, hobbies maybe, leisure maybe, sleep fingers crossed, pieces fit together fingers double crossed.
The broken hand didn’t help, but then again, who knows what the long term butterfly effect will be.
From 2012, the inaugural team, founding member, to captain, to has been, and now a second chance. I was feeling so good, crushing workouts, stronger, lighter, like maybe my age didn’t matter so much, like maybe I could still keep up with the kids half my age.
And then on a meaningless night, in a meaningless game, I went for a dive I’ve made a million times, just a routine scoop of the disc before it hit the ground, and pop! I didn’t curl my index finger up in time and slammed it straight into the turf, transferring the force up into my hand for a complete fracture of my metacarpal.
First was confusion. What just happened. That should have been easy. Then rolled up seated on the field, held and looked down at my hand and it was stiffening, with a protrusion where that bone was, the type of bone I had broken before, and I knew. Then, there was only rage, just rage. I jumped up, stalked off, slammed a few things, de-cleated, and stormed out.
My friend JR had a few words of advisement to calm me down and settle on some next steps, and I drove home to sulk and try to sleep, shedding a few tears along the way. Dismay, dejection, anger, severe sadness. These last several years had been so hard, and now all things were finally going so well, and then this. My hopes to make it fully back, to tryouts, to a final season and redemption…
And now, casted. Can’t throw a disc. Can’t lift a dumbbell or hold a bar. Can’t climb, can’t cycle, can’t swim, can’t do bike repairs, can’t type home row. Bought an electric toothbrush. Writing this blog entry on a phone with my left thumb.
I’m not spiritual, but is this a sign? Slow down, stop, hang it up, you had a good run, sunk costs, cut the losses, move on? Wake up every morning with that question, sometimes not waking, just tossing, thoughts spinning.
Then deciding, for that day at least, I haven’t had enough. Laundry, coffee, gym, juggle the other commitments somehow, grind.
Conclusion: A Message of Hope and Determination
Joey Cari, a seasoned athlete and founding member of his team since 2012, shares his journey from setback to strength. Follow Joey's inspiring story this season as he navigates the highs and lows of his journey, reminding us all of the power of resilience in overcoming life's greatest challenges.
