At Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine, we realize that athletes have specialized concerns – they want to get better and get back in the game. That's why we want you to meet some of our patients – they've been down the road to recovery and want to share their successes with you.

• Christina
• Dimonde
• Elle
• Jared
• Molly
• Phil
• Sara

Christina

	I found out I had stress fractures in my lower back in the 7th grade. I've been in a back brace twice since then along with rehabilitation. I'm getting back into physical activity but still have a few problems. The most difficult part was being in the brace and having to sit out of things. If you know someone who has to go through something like this, be as supportive as possible. Help do things with them to keep their mind off their problem. Any situation like this is going to be difficult. The best thing to do is try to be positive. Be sure to listen to your doctor and when you feel like you're missing out on things, remember that your health is more important than anything else.
Birthday:	July 28
Favorite Food:	Lasagna
Siblings:	Stephanie, Antonio, Nick
Hometown:	Columbus, OH
Favorite Sport:	Basketball
Favorite Athlete:	Mike Conley, Jr.
Favorite Sports Team:	The Ohio State Buckeyes
Sports you play and how long:	Basketball (10 years)
How you became interested in your sport:	My family

Dimonde

	I am a junior at Columbus Northland High School and a two year varsity letter winner in basketball. We were undefeated City League North Division champs. I was a starter and serious about getting our team to the state championships. That was my focus until I suffered a serious ankle sprain late in the regular season. I came to Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine for help. My injury was significant and the time I would be out was longer than I hoped. I was frustrated, but the staff at Nationwide Children's kept me optimistic for my return. I did everything the doctors and athletic trainers advised. The week prior to my return our team lost in the tournament. It was bad luck for us, but I was cleared and made great progress. I believe I did so well recovering because I did my exercises and remained hopeful. Watching others play made me rehab my ankle even harder. Everyone going through an injury should trust their doctors and stay optimistic. It did wonders for me!
Birthday:	November 3
Favorite Food:	Shrimp Alfredo/Pasta
Hometown:	Columbus, OH
Favorite Sport:	Basketball
Favorite Athletes:	LeBron James & Muhammad Ali
Favorite Sports Team:	The Ohio State Buckeyes
Sports you play and how long:	Basketball (since I was 5 years old, at least 2 hours each day), Track (5 years)
How you became interested in your sport:	My mother showed me the greatness of the sport.

Elle

	I was diagnosed with having spondy. In my case, on the last vertebrae, I have an old stress fracture on the left side as well as a new one on the right. I was unable to play this past season, so I've been focusing on rehabilitation. It was really hard to sit and watch my teammates out on the court, but I'm glad that Julie Young (Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer) helped me catch it before more damage occurred. Even though I'm passionate about volleyball, healing my back is my main priority.
Birthday:	September 30
Siblings:	Older sister, Emily
Hometown:	Groveport, OH
Favorite Sports to Watch:	Basketball or Football
Favorite Sports Teams:	Buckeyes & Browns
Sports you play and how long:	Volleyball (3 years)
How you became interested in your sport:	My sister played all through high school and my dad coached club teams.

Jared

	I broke my leg in the last football game of the season. Megan Durbin (Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer) recommended Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine. Dr. Pommering was my doctor, and he explained to me and my parents what I needed to do in order to make a complete recovery. The important thing is to listen and do what the doctors tell you, regardless if you think you're ready. It was hard to attend basketball practice and not be able to practice. Dr. Pommering said he would have me back on the court in six weeks. I followed his instructions and got to play in my first high school game soon after my recovery. Thanks to the staff at Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine.
Birthday:	October 23
Favorite Food:	Pizza
Siblings:	One brother
Hometown:	London, OH
Favorite Sport:	Baseball
Favorite Sports Team:	Reds
Sports you play and how long:	Football (3 years), Basketball (6 years), Baseball (8 years)
How you became interested in your sport:	Playing ball with my dad when I was younger

Molly

	My injury happened during volleyball club season of my freshman year. It was during a game, I went up to block and came down one legged and landed on someone's foot so my knee bent inward. I ended up tearing my lateral, and medial collateral ligaments, lost 25% of my meniscus, and tore my ACL in half. I had my surgery on July 25, 2007, and was able to play in games by mid-January 2008. During recovery, the hardest part was, of course, sitting on the sidelines. I did become depressed because I was out all of my sophomore year, but things did turn out better. On my down time, I did learn things from my injury like the right way to land and the knowledge of being aware of my body. I also became closer with my family and brother. Now I'm just taking what I've learned and looking forward to my junior year.
Birthday:	August 30
Favorite Food:	Lasagna
Siblings:	Younger brother, Luke
Hometown:	Westerville, OH
Favorite Sport:	Volleyball
Favorite Sports Team:	Indianapolis Colts
Sports you play and how long:	Basketball (4 years), Volleyball (4 years)
How you became interested in your sport:	I've always been tall. People have always said, "put a basketball in her hands," so I used my height to my advantage.

Phil

	The most difficult throughout the diagnosis, procedure and post-procedure was having to watch my teammates and friends have fun, as well as watching from the sidelines on Friday nights knowing I would be out there if I wasn't hurt. It hurt even more because this was the second year that I got hurt. Last year, I dislocated my patella and partially tore my MCL on my left knee. This year, I fractured my patella and right tibia. This injury sidelined me for about 3 months. Some of the hardest games for me to sit and watch on the sidelines were when my school played our rivals, Olentangy and Olentangy Liberty. It was also hard to watch our playoff games from the sidelines. However, the happiest moment of this season was when we won the State Championship in Division 3.
Birthday:	July 15
Favorite Food:	Chicken Parmesan
Siblings:	Two sisters, Claire and Tara
Hometown:	Sunbury, OH
Favorite Sport:	Football
Favorite Athlete:	LeBron James
Favorite Sports Teams:	The Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns
Sports you play and how long:	Football (10 years)

Sara

	I am a senior at Westerville North High School and have been participating in varsity athletics since I was a freshman. I have played varsity softball for four years and varsity soccer for two. During my junior and senior years, I started having sharp pains in my right hip when practicing and competing. My athletic trainer at the high school told me to heat before practices and ice afterwards. This worked for awhile, but soon the pain was persistent throughout the day. It was painful even when walking or sitting. I was then referred to Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine. I saw the doctor and was diagnosed with bursitis in my right hip. I had to sit out from sports for a month. That was my toughest challenge. It was hard to sit out when I'm used to participating in some type of athletic event every day. After my month off, I started rehabilitation with Nationwide Children's. The exercises were painful but paid off. I haven't had any serious pain since December and have participated in all athletic competitions pain free.
Birthday:	July 7
Favorite Food:	Raspberries
Siblings:	One brother, Nick
Hometown:	Westerville, OH
Favorite Sport:	Softball
Favorite Athlete:	Jennie Finch
Favorite Sports Team:	The Ohio State Buckeyes
Sports you play and how long:	Softball (11 years), Soccer (10 years)
How you became interested in your sport:	I had friends who played and my brother played.