It was the summer going into my freshman year and I was on track to play high school football for the first time. I had just a few more weeks left before I got to start playing football.

July came around and I was attending the summer camp I go to every year.

I was sitting down minding my own business when my friend jokingly lifted me onto his shoulders.

I remember yelling at him to put me down, but he didn’t.

I fell off his shoulders, trying to catch myself but it was already too late.

My arm was facing the wrong direction, my bone was clearly visible. 911 was called, and the ambulance rushed to my camp.

It took almost two hours to get to the hospital. At the hospital we found out I shattered my elbow.

After I returned home from camp, I remember being devastated.

I was supposed to be playing football, but instead, I was stuck in a cast.

However, I didn’t give up and I made sure to stay a part of the team.

I constantly attended practices and games to help the team. Although I was merely a water boy, I made sure to keep a positive attitude and cheer on my team.

The hardest part was recovering from surgery.

The doctor said I might never be able to open up my arm all the way ever again.

I had to struggle through the physical therapy — the extreme pain of just opening my arm hurt me both mentally and physically.

Thankfully, I made it through all the difficulties of recovering. Although I still feel some pain in my arm, I’m back playing football.

This year as a sophomore I was able to play some varsity football, even after my injury.

I never gave up and kept working towards making my arm stronger and staying healthy.

I made a full recovery, and am now back lifting weights, and more importantly back on the field.