MEMORIES OF LACK of HELP from DOCTORS & HEALTHCARE
Decades ago, like tens of millions of American boys, I had my first taste of high school football-wars, football training, and battle-in-the-field-camaraderie under Friday Night Lights, too. I also had more than a few injuries in practice--and out under the FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS back in my late- 1970 high school days.
My reoccurring football injuries were in my ankles. I twisted one ankle badly my junior year and came back too soon under pressure of one of my football coaches--who stated categorically to me, "A doctor would not say, "It's up to you when to come back.--AND SIMPLY MEAN IT. '"
That is, that high school coach was telling me: If the doctor gives me--at the time only a 16 YEAR OLD--the option to come back when I am ready, this message is supposed to be translated, "Physically, you are ready--it is up to you mentally to come back from an injury."
I fell for that mind-game--as any gullible 16-year-old would--, and came out in for practice that night.
Within a week, while favoring that one ankle, I went ahead and hurt the other ankle very badly, too. That is why I missed the first game of my senior year because of the other ankle.
However, soon I began to have lifelong problems with both my ankles--twisting them both regularly playing basketball, tennis--even just jogging. Finally, during my first and only season as a college tennis player, I was forced to give up that sport forever--i.e. due to my repeating ankle injuries.
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