Sydney Pigott '14 Recruiting Profile

I was on fire. I was scoring, passing, and creating plays for me and my teammates. When I drove to the hoop just before the third quarter buzzer was about to sound, I remember being knocked off my feet and as I fell backwards, I braced myself with my right hand. I ignored the discomfort that I felt in my right thumb. After all, this was the final game of Long Island Spring League Basketball tournament, and we were ahead by ten points. I could feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through my body.  I began to ice it in the middle of the huddle. I was focused on the game and decided to take care of my hand after the game.

             As the fourth quarter started, I hit the court determined to do my best to bring the trophy back to my school. We played really hard and it payed off.  We won the final game! As we were celebrating, I felt my right hand throbbing.  After further examination, I realized that my entire right hand was swollen. The doctor later concluded that I fractured my thumb and needed immediate surgery. I didn’t want to believe him because then I would have to sacrifice numerous activities for three months. I decided to prepare for the worst because needing surgery was the most likely possibility.

            As I was being prepped for surgery, I was extremely nervous though I trusted my doctor. Although I was anxious before the surgery, my mother told me that everything would be fine. As I arrived to the operating room, I was tenderly greeted by all the doctors including Dr. Farber. He told me to slowly count to three and before I could count to two, I was completely unconscious. As I slowly opened my eyes, I soon realized that the surgery was done. The first night after surgery was tough I was in a great deal of pain, but I realized that I would have to be committed in order to fully recover.

            My recovery was difficult because I couldn’t play basketball, play my instruments, or even write. I had to miss numerous basketball games, which was difficult because I didn’t want to let down my teammates. I missed the piano recital that year and a scribe had to write for me for my final exams. The piano was immensely important to me because I practiced the piano everyday for an hour. The piano symbolized the freedom to express myself and get away from the negative, outside influences. My recovery was going to be difficult because I couldn’t do simple tasks. I felt powerless because I as at the mercy of this injury and I couldn’t wait to be fully healed. The only thing I could do to was to completely immobilize my hand and protect it at all times. However, when the doctor visits seemed to only prolong the injury, I felt that my skills in both athletics and music would severely suffer because I wasn’t practice. I would have to work twice as hard in order to regain my abilities. I knew the hand specialist had my best interest in mind, but I couldn’t wait to get back to the things I loved.

            After my long, tedious recovery, I had to undergo therapy for five weeks because I was determined to do the things I loved again. I was able to return to the court just before school started in order to improve my skills. Although it was difficult because I was out of shape, uncertain, and unfamiliar, I was able to work hard and perform in basketball and music. This injury taught me that although you lose certain things that you love, as long as you have the support of your family and friends, nothing else matters. Now, I am a persevering individual that doesn’t take valuable opportunities for granted.