Dawn's story
Following her injury, Dawn has been determined to return to normality, doing things she could do before the accident.
Gymnastics has been a key part of Dawn’s life for a long time. “My brother made me…do chin ups instead and stunts on the garden and my Grandad taught me to cartwheel.”
Joining Amber Valley gymnastics at about 7 years old, she was already smitten and could smash out chin ups like there was no tomorrow! Her commitment to training 3 times a week led her to begin competing at an amateur level from the age of 16.
In 2019, Dawn entered a gymnastics competition, it was the first she had taken part in for 20 years. Although nervous, thankfully her first piece was on the bars. She has always loved this element, so it eased the pressure a little.
Unfortunately, her nerves got the better of her. She swung little too hard on her dismount, causing her to fall from the top bar and land on just one leg, which took the brunt of the force. This left her knee badly damaged, alongside 2 torn ligaments, a fractured tibia and injured meniscus.
“I was devastated. I was broken. Part of me still is. I needed a knee reconstruction which meant sacrificing a muscle in my good thigh and I had to constantly wear a metal leg brace for many months.”
Afraid she may have to give up gymnastics, a sport which had always made her so happy, Dawn felt lost. She was receiving advice from all directions telling her to choose another sport…except from her surgeon. However, he suggested she perhaps needed more realistic expectations.
Following her injury, she has been determined to return to normality, doing things she could do before the accident, however, progress is slow and it can be difficult at times. “It should be easy, it used to be so easy but now it's not”, she says.
It hasn’t been an easy journey to recovery for Dawn, there have been many tears and setbacks, and she has often been left feeling frustrated. She often relives the routine that caused her injury which naturally leaves her anxious.
“I can imagine myself doing moves and routines in my head and it's easy but then I get to the end of the move in my mind and picture my knee breaking again and I panic.”
But, with the support of the adult gymnastics coaches at Alfreton Leisure Centre, she has recently begun to overcome some fear and see positive progress. “ They give me a push, cheer me up and pick me up!”
Her focus now is strength. Her leg muscles have been compromised and are not supporting her knee when attempting certain moves. It often dislocates slightly which can set her back weeks, both physically and mentally.
Dawn says: “I know what I need to do but I don't have the equipment or the space to focus on it. I have two young children and it's difficult to carve out time for myself when at home. The stronger my leg is, the more solid my knee joint will be.”
Dawn’s goal for 2024 is to be able to stand up from the floor on her bad leg alone with a view to being able to do a forward and/or backward walkover on her own once again. She would also love to try some slower classes as well as using the gym to help rebuild the strength in her legs.
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