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Making a bad situation into mango smoothies

March 12, 2009 11:48 AM | Posted by   Veronika Bauer  

I have what is called a complex concussion. That’s what I was diagnosed with while I was in Japan for the world championships.

I’ve been struggling with symptoms of headaches, fogginess and short-term memory loss ever since hitting my head on landing during a training camp in early January.

Waiting game

It’s been an upsetting season of mostly sitting and watching. As the rest of my team has gone out to train I’ve been sitting around feeling lazy and getting chubby. When I realized I wouldn’t be able to compete at the most important event of the year I was devastated, but to make matters worse, I was told I was sidelined for the rest of the winter.

I’d have to fly to one place and stay there. Where could I go to sit in a room for a month that wouldn’t be boring and depressing?

Well, believe it or not, I am now writing to you with a relaxed mind and huge smile from Thailand.

I’m not sure I have come to terms with the fact that I’m not able to carry on with the team. I was looking forward to training on the Olympic site in Vancouver and then competing at the Canadian championships. When it comes to mind I get a bit sad about not jumping, but the good news is I’m in a whole other world where there are no reminders.

I am never cold. I never need to be anywhere and I can’t watch TV. It’s such a great feeling when you step into the unknown and end up in paradise. I could have easily sat around feeling sorry for myself, but I went for it. I delayed my ticket home from Tokyo and booked myself a ‘points’ ticket to Phuket, Thailand.

Healing mind, body and soul

Now that I’m here, I look at this unintentional hiatus as a blessing in disguise. I love my life and appreciate how fortunate I am. I need to always remind myself of that and look at the positives (my sport psych would be so proud).

Please don’t say you’re jealous. I’m here on the budget of an amateur athlete, in other words, anyone can do it. Clean hotels for $20 a night and $4 meals that are more delicious than anything I’ve ever tried before.

In a few weeks I will return home with a healed brain and (with these Thai massages for just $10/hour) my body will be feeling great too. I will be more than ready to start our fitness camp and move forward into the Olympic season older, wiser, and best of all, fresh and healthy.

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