Being a player is a skill... and having a heart of a champion is a gift. Let me share a personal experience which I hope would draw inspiration to all readers young and old, men or women, in all walks of life. I wrote this blog in 2008 when I was inspired by my son Jojo; It all started because of his determination to come back from a career ending injury. Please read my blog below:
THE HEART OF A CHAMPION....
Football will always be in my sons heart, its his way of life... His heart will always be. A little over 3 months ago, i though its over for my son... when while watching him playing the beloved game and to my horror, he broke both his tibia and fibula, and have to rush him to the hospital and watched him in agony and pain over his injury. The doctor took six painstaking hours just to screw his bones back to its proper position and begun the healing.
Even in the hospital, i saw my son with so much determination to be healthy again even in the midst of pain and uncertainty. We would usually go around the hospital in wheel chair just for him to breath and in two weeks time, i saw him walking around in crutches even in the middle of the night. I admire the mental strength of my son. I never saw my son backing down, losing hope... His heart is a heart of a champion. He never stopped praying that one day he would walk again, run again, and kick some foot ball again.
Two months have passed and he can already walk by himself with his crutches, he exercises his leg to avoid inactivity, he tried to shoot basketball in his room, and and make it sure that his mental toughness never weaken. And he just keep on going and going and going.
Three months had passed and we're back to the doctor, to our surprised... his healing was faster than expected, his x-rays shows his bones are fine and he just need some exercise to make his right foot active and strong again. His determination is unprecedented, he puts weights on his right foot every day, he walks, he moves, as if there is no tomorrow. This time I know I have a champion kid in my son.
Last Saturday, June 14, he had his first practice, I provided him ankle support covered with an ergonomically designed plastic, ankle wrap, and shin guard... I was so apprehensive but my son is really insistent on having his practice.
We arrive late at about 5pm on their 4:30 practice, i know his heart was pounding not because his afraid but because he is so excited to play again. My heart was pounding harder, months ago, I saw my son in agony and pain... and here we are, in his first practice, questions whether his bones are strong enough to face the rigors of practice or not keeps on hounding my very soul... but then, I cant question his determination to be back to his old football buff self.
His coach, coach rav, saw him and was excited too. He let him jog and do some stretching before going to the actual scrimmage.... finally, he's at it again... he played as goal keeper... my heart was really pounding hard... then one strong kick from opposing side.... one big catch from my son.... only to realize...HE'S BACK! ah, i was so anxious the whole practice because he never did change... still the daredevil goalkeeper of the PCU Dolphins... my son never change a bit...i guess he's back. His coach was very surprise with the way he played, all those slides...kicks... dives...huh! i almost died of heart attack...
Finally the practice ended.... My sons coach was quite nervous too... he instructed my son that on the next practices... he would not use his right foot yet... I breath deeply...
Slowly but surely... he'll be back... and play... leave the pain behind... learn the lessons well... now i know... he's more matured in his game...
Going back.... never I realized he'll be at this point... but my son never lost hope... he knows that one day... he'll reach even farther....
He will never be here now......But here we are, football life, a life he chose to live... and its all because... HIS HEART IS HEART OF A CHAMPION... Thats him, my son - JOJO....
.
THE HEART OF A CHAMPION....
Football will always be in my sons heart, its his way of life... His heart will always be. A little over 3 months ago, i though its over for my son... when while watching him playing the beloved game and to my horror, he broke both his tibia and fibula, and have to rush him to the hospital and watched him in agony and pain over his injury. The doctor took six painstaking hours just to screw his bones back to its proper position and begun the healing.
Even in the hospital, i saw my son with so much determination to be healthy again even in the midst of pain and uncertainty. We would usually go around the hospital in wheel chair just for him to breath and in two weeks time, i saw him walking around in crutches even in the middle of the night. I admire the mental strength of my son. I never saw my son backing down, losing hope... His heart is a heart of a champion. He never stopped praying that one day he would walk again, run again, and kick some foot ball again.
Two months have passed and he can already walk by himself with his crutches, he exercises his leg to avoid inactivity, he tried to shoot basketball in his room, and and make it sure that his mental toughness never weaken. And he just keep on going and going and going.
Three months had passed and we're back to the doctor, to our surprised... his healing was faster than expected, his x-rays shows his bones are fine and he just need some exercise to make his right foot active and strong again. His determination is unprecedented, he puts weights on his right foot every day, he walks, he moves, as if there is no tomorrow. This time I know I have a champion kid in my son.
Last Saturday, June 14, he had his first practice, I provided him ankle support covered with an ergonomically designed plastic, ankle wrap, and shin guard... I was so apprehensive but my son is really insistent on having his practice.
We arrive late at about 5pm on their 4:30 practice, i know his heart was pounding not because his afraid but because he is so excited to play again. My heart was pounding harder, months ago, I saw my son in agony and pain... and here we are, in his first practice, questions whether his bones are strong enough to face the rigors of practice or not keeps on hounding my very soul... but then, I cant question his determination to be back to his old football buff self.
His coach, coach rav, saw him and was excited too. He let him jog and do some stretching before going to the actual scrimmage.... finally, he's at it again... he played as goal keeper... my heart was really pounding hard... then one strong kick from opposing side.... one big catch from my son.... only to realize...HE'S BACK! ah, i was so anxious the whole practice because he never did change... still the daredevil goalkeeper of the PCU Dolphins... my son never change a bit...i guess he's back. His coach was very surprise with the way he played, all those slides...kicks... dives...huh! i almost died of heart attack...
Finally the practice ended.... My sons coach was quite nervous too... he instructed my son that on the next practices... he would not use his right foot yet... I breath deeply...
Slowly but surely... he'll be back... and play... leave the pain behind... learn the lessons well... now i know... he's more matured in his game...
Going back.... never I realized he'll be at this point... but my son never lost hope... he knows that one day... he'll reach even farther....
He will never be here now......But here we are, football life, a life he chose to live... and its all because... HIS HEART IS HEART OF A CHAMPION... Thats him, my son - JOJO....
.