You Got This.

How to get back on the slopes after a snowboarding accident…

Spiral fracture of the tibia/fibula

While snowboarding January 12, 2023, I broke my tibia and fibula.

I was just going up to hit (what I thought) was a patch of powder and it shook its ugly California-cement-head (it had been raining/snowing/raining) and said a defiant “NOPE!”

My board stuck, and I cartwheeled, snapping my front (goofy- right) foot.

I slid down the side of the mountain, incredulously “WTF!” rang out in my head. Or… let’s be real: It was most likely screamed out loud for all the people, trees, mountain peaks in the distance and wild animals in the vicinity to hear…

I am no pro, don’t get me wrong, and I have had my fair share of injuries (don’t count them up you pesky rascals! It’s not funny!) but I’ve been snowboarding for 25 years plus.

I was with Clint, Cailin (my bonus daughter) and her boyfriend Corey, who was learning to ride, so I was just “stealing off” to the restroom and was going to meet up with them at the base of the lift. (Eye roll.) 

This should not have been a big deal. 

But, it was. 

Number in my phone  

I had worked at the resort for many years, and luckily still had the Heavenly Ski Patrol number in my phone. Knowing the resort rather well, it was like an old neighborhood, where you know where to go, but you don’t necessarily know the street names.

I looked up at a ski sign and told them where I was. Luckily I had one bar! There are parts of the mountain that don’t have any reception… 

Courtesy of Classic Metal Signs 

Ski Patrol & Orthopedic Surgeon to the rescue 

They got me down in the dreaded sled, (“burrito” for those who know) and put me in a wheelchair to download the tram. Clint ran and got the truck, and off I went to the Emergency Room. Luckily, I was treated immediately and off to surgery within hours. 

I am saving you the details, but getting off my boot was something else! (Why didn’t they cut it off? Your guess is as good as mine.) Along with the fact that I still hadn’t made it to the restroom… (Double eye roll.)

And I am forever grateful that Dr. Orr was on call and available to do surgery that very day. 

Waking up, I had the room to myself, and my nurse was a former co-worker who I adored (small town, thank you.) 


The easy part

Needless to say, I was in phenomenal hands. I could not have been luckier with the speed in which Ski Patrol got there, and shuttled me down, my kind and loving Clint, holding my hand, and Dr Orr and the entire staff of Barton Memorial Hospital. 

The hard part

How do you go from doing everything you want, during a record snowfall year, snowboarding, snowshoeing, removing snow, working, going to spin class, and to simple things like the store —> to full lock down? 

Someone who is so active, they choose to live in a year-round-playground?

don’t worry… I did not look this cool. Photo by Max on Unsplash

Meditation for sports injuries  

As most of you who know me well, my classic saying of, “it’s all mental” really came into play for this. Of course my bones were going to heal, but how was I going to survive this mentally? 

I had already made some significant lifestyle changes in the last year, and meditation had become a daily practice. Not only did I have the Calm app, but also Headspace. 

Mark Williams, professor of clinical psychology at Oxford University, and his colleagues at the universities of Cambridge, Toronto, and Massachusetts had spent 20 years studying the phenomenal power of meditation for treating anxiety and even full-blown depression.

They had turned it into a therapy known as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) that was gaining the support of doctors and scientists in the area of sports injury rehabilitation. It had even been endorsed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and in Britain by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

On the Headspace app, they have a whole Sports|Rehab series… I really like Andy, who was a former Buddhist monk who co-created the app in 2010. Not only was his voice soothing but the series was sympathetic to all the thoughts and feelings going through a sports injury. 

It touched on the fear of not being able to do the thing you once loved and how you very much still know how to do that very activity, you are just in a position of healing for the moment. It was sympathetic to common misgivings that we are all prone to when left alone with our thoughts and not able to be active.

Awesome Physical Therapy team

I also took my physical therapy very seriously. Which was quite the feat to get to, just a mile away. With the piles of snow…once again: Clint to the rescue! Having to shovel the walkway to the vehicle; snow he had just removed that morning. 

With the help of my trusty walker- I know, I know, how demoralizing. 

But, if you were living in a frozen tundra like I was in winter of 2023, 5 points of contact was the best case scenario! 

With healing, it is best to leave your ego on the shelf. Do what they say, and try to enjoy the “experience.” 

I had 2 excellent therapists who both had different ways of looking at things while being very cognizant of how motivated I was to recover. (And weren’t afraid to lift me up if I was feeling down.) 

They pushed me, but also listened. 

Along with the support staff, I am very thankful for all that they did. 

If you weren’t familiar with what a Bosu ball here it is… flip it over and balance away! Photo courtesy of Amazon 

Bosu ball 

A bosu ball was an integral part of my therapy. 

This really helps with balance, and although difficult at times, it was critical for all the little muscles in my foot and ankle to recalibrate and strengthen. 

Still to this day, I find the Bosu ball at the gym and do a series of squats along with my yoga practice. 

Yoga 

I had a friend suggest chair yoga after this had happened.

I laughed, but this also was a saving grace.

If you go on our beloved YouTube there’s a ton of classes that are for “Seniors” or “Beginners” so don’t worry about it… What did I tell you about your ego?

It was 30 minutes, and got my blood flowing and back, shoulders, and hips stretched- after not being accustomed to so much sitting this was very important. 

In addition, I was surprised that most of the leg portion of the class I could do myself with modifications at first with my boot. 

Once I was able to put weight on my foot, I began to go to Restorative Yoga with Nicole at Athletex. In addition, with the elliptical and bosu ball, I was able to strength train and have continued with the yoga route since.

Mindset 

A positive mindset is a panacea for all manner of ailments. 

Let’s face it: our brains are little thought machines, and they are always at work. Why not make it a positive dialogue rather than a negative one? 

I am all about energy and even believe what we think and give off, has a butterfly effect on all that we do. 

Having grace with yourself and the situation is paramount to surviving this in a healthy way. 

Not being fully ready to know what actually happened to me, I saw a photo of the plates and screws at the hospital, and didn’t look again until I was able to put weight on it. I simply wasn’t ready to fully grasp what actually had happened. And this is ok!

{Was debating adding a photo of the 10 screws and 2 plates, but thought I would save you all of that. If your curiosity gets the better of you though, reach out! kp@kpcopy.com}

Recovery from an injury takes time. Healing can take longer than you want it to. You may be tempted to return to your normal activities before you have fully healed and this is never a good idea.

I’ve been a chronic “buck the system” person my whole life, but in this regard:

Always listen to the professionals.

You can always go and be a rebel in another non-consequential area of your life. (wink.) 

Back at it 

Funny… as I am finishing this blog, Cailin and her boyfriend, Corey have come to visit again. Coincidentally, this was the first time riding since the accident. 

I took my time, had a meditation before leaving the house, I was “careful” (very antithetical for the “system bucking,” but Ego? You-need-to-take-a-rest) and here I am, all limbs in tact able to tell about it.

Photo by author's husband

Your injury was merely a detour and the road was only closed temporarily.

Now go back out there and continue doing what you love.

Simply put: YOU GOT THIS.

. . .

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

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Fact check: I strive for accuracy and fairness… if something is off, please send a shout! Kp@kpcopy.com