My initial plans for this blog post were to describe my thoughts on what I see and hear from athletes and sportspeople affected by an injury, surgery or illness that prevents or prevented them from participating in their preferred activities. I realised my observations and thoughts are superficial and subjective. Instead, to be more objective I have asked three people to explain their actual experiences and have gathered the information via a short questionnaire and a phone interview. I’m planning on posting three case studies in the coming weeks from the athletes. They will be anonymous thus allowing you to read without prejudice. The athletes were asked to describe and explain, “how you feel about your own identity* or self-concept** with reference to the situation or situations you have been through.” They were also provided with these definitions,

* an individual’s sense of self defined by (a) a set of physical, psychological, and interpersonal characteristics that is not wholly shared with any other person and (b) a range of affiliations (e.g., ethnicity) and social roles

** The self-concept is a general term for how someone thinks about, evaluates, or perceives themselves. To be aware of oneself is to have a concept of oneself.

The questions posed to the athletes followed this format; prior to, at the time of & following your injury, surgery or illness describe yourself in terms of, 

1. How you saw (perceived) yourself 
2. How you think others saw (perceived) you 

and the final question; thinking about your future describe yourself in terms of, 

1. How you see (perceive) yourself 
2. How you think others will see (perceive) you  

 Athlete 1 – a fine, fit fella

Prior to an emergency operation to repair a serious fracture to the femoral neck in his hip joint, this athlete described himself as, “probably in the best overall condition I’ve ever been in.” He was about to, “realise a plan that I had been working towards for many years, to include extended periods of doing what I love; surfing, snowboarding and cycling.” The athlete was due to share a year abroad with his wife. He had not given much thought to how others perceived him. On reflection, he felt that others might consider him to be, “living his (my) dreams and in good enough physical condition to maximise this scheme.”

At the time of the accident, the athlete describes the following, “a week into my dream year, my world collapsed.” This was the result of a relatively innocuous fall from a mountain bike. He goes on to describe the following, “during the time of surgery and hospitalisation I felt like I’d completely fucked up our dream and was responsible for the nightmare about to ensue. I would never be able to make this right.” The athlete’s main concern was the impact on his wife because this was a shared dream and she didn’t deserve to be in this position. He reflected that other’s opinions may have been of concern (for him) and disbelief that he had, “derail(ed) the whole trip and let my wife down.”

Following surgery and after returning home to recuperate, the athlete explained that he saw his role now as, “to recover as quickly as possible” and to commit fully to this process knowing that, “hard work and determination would pay off”. Significantly, the athlete expressed the following, “Failing to return to full fitness wouldn’t be an option as that’s what I need for life to be worth living.”

At around 6 months following hip surgery the athlete acknowledged that he had also injured his shoulder during that innocuous MTB accident and on investigation, this too, required surgery. The athlete was looking at an additional 4 months of rehabilitation. He knew that mental preparation was required again, and explained that he, “knew he (I) could do it,” because he, “can focus and work hard if required”. Now, his perception of how others saw him was, “anyone’s guess.” 

As for the future, this fine, fit fella is getting stronger, but encountering new, unexpected issues related to new exercise and rehabilitation regimes. He reflects that, “most people know how hard I work at keeping fit and have every confidence in me making a full recovery.” Though he harbours some doubts with reference to the potential for his hip surgery to require a hip replacement in future. He explains this, “would be devastating as it could remove any chance of returning to surfing.” He finishes with optimism that he is, “planning to kick life into start again this August with a grand depart to beat all others. Life will be good again..” 

My reflections: This athlete’s sense of identity has been fundamentally and dramatically challenged; consider his opening statement that he was probably in the best overall condition he’s ever been in contrasted by the unacceptable prospect of failing to return to full fitness as devastating and removing his motivation for living. It is clear that he has encountered physical, mental and emotional challenges to his sense of identity and worth both internally (self-perceptions) and externally (others perceptions). His self-belief and over-riding ability to focus and work hard physically to overcome his injuries, coupled with an underlying support drawn from the confidence others have in him to achieve his and his wife’s dream have provided him with the ultimate motivation to remain positive and forward thinking.