Confronting, not Cutting, the Corners of our Life: Athletics

By Rishabh Thadani

At times, it is inevitable for one to feel deprived of their abilities in comparison to others,
especially when it stems from negative notions about one’s well-being or current state of
mind. Diseases like scoliosis are not only mentally troublesome to those diagnosed, but if
not handled with proper care, are infectious to loved ones around them. As a result, it is
imperative for us to dissect how we can prevent this profound sense of insecurity, and this
article is perfect for examining this dilemma.

To segway into this, as an individual who has been diagnosed with minor thalassemia, I
have been told that my red blood cells are sickle-shaped and not fully rounded, thereby
slightly reducing the amount of oxygen in my body. This has essentially been a barrier to me
fulfilling my athletic desires, as I became tired relatively quickly when participating in
physical activities. Every single time I tried out for a sports team, I got so close, but I
eventually got cut. Jealousy came over me in the midst of this competitive nature, eventually
drowning me in a toxic pool of pessimism and mental degradation.

But I was lucky to get the best of this. I later found out that life is meant to embrace what
you love. I fostered my passion for volleyball despite making a team, because that is not
detrimental to my dedication to the sport. Similarly, professional athletes with scoliosis
have made breakthroughs in their careers, disregarding the upsets that they faced in their
lives. The fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, was unfortunately diagnosed with scoliosis
at the age of 12, when it was vital for him to perform at his absolute best to make a
successful career. The scoliosis caused disproportionality in the size of his legs, causing
physical trainers and medical teams to advise him to halt his fitness in the hopes of
recovering from various injuries that he faced, but Bolt remained dedicated to his training.
With familial encouragement, he was not only commended with becoming an Olympic
athlete, but an individual who was able to achieve his aim in life.

In conclusion, it is necessary for us to realize that nothing can stop us from achieving our
goals if we have support systems established to motivate us, pushing through the hurdles
that obscure our vision. Let’s turn our dreams into reality, no matter what.

Works Cited
https://treatingscoliosis.com/blog/scoliosis-usain-bolt-the-champions-journey/
https://www.hudsonvalleyscoliosis.com/celebrities-scoliosis/usain-bolt/