The past six years, I’ve been in and out of physical therapy more times than I should. Each time greeted with a “You’re back again?” and then it’s grind time for x amount of weeks. This summer especially, I saw more of my physical therapists than anyone else. They’ve treated me for every injury a person could have from shin splints and broken feet to torn labrums and rotator cuff. I’ve been fortunate to have received care from the best so here’s to you guys. Thank you for everything.

1. Thank you for pushing me to limits I didn’t think were possible.

From the first visit to the last, I am always stoked to see the difference. Thank you for pushing me every session to get back to full range of motion and no restrictions.

2. Thank you for getting me back on the field quickly.

Sitting out kills me, and you guys are the best at getting me back on the field in the shortest amount of time possible.

3. Thank you for encouraging me to keep going even when it hurt.

Even when I felt my arm was going to fall off, thank you for encouraging me to keep going as it will get it stronger. As much as I may have complained, thank you for letting me not quit as I definitely would not be where I’m at if you didn’t.

4. Thank you for treating me like a person, not a number and for caring about my life outside of my injuries.

You guys are crazy busy and it’s easy to just go through the motions or not spend as much time with each one. However, I’ve always felt like you guys invest into each and every one of your patients. You guys take the time to genuinely get to know your patients and that’s not something every place can say. I enjoyed the talks just about life in general and getting to know you guys.

5. Thank you for being thorough with care.

Thank you for keeping me until every single exercise for the day is completed. Thank you for continuing to work with me even when your next patient has arrived. Thank you for providing me with home exercises and following up with me when I am away. Thank you for also making sure I continue improving when I am away at college by keeping in touch with the medical staff at school. I appreciate you periodically checking up on me and keeping in touch even when I’m no longer there (even though I’ll probably be back again soon).

6. Thank you for the countless massages, tape jobs, game ready and ice packs.

Thank you for relieving my pain with the best treatment and keeping the pain to a minimum. I’m sure your hands are tired from getting all the knots out.

7. Thank you for learning my sport to target the specific muscles needed in my daily game.

(Roman this is for you). Thanks for learning more about the throwing motion and learning about softball to better understand the rehab necessary. Thank you for even exercising your new knowledge by playing catch with me.

8. Thank you for catching my terrible throws, the ones over your head, the ones at your shins and the ones that break your ankles.

Sorry for all the bruises my throws may have caused. Dan especially, thank you for sitting out in the hot sun on some of the hottest days of the summer to catch my throws. Thanks for jumping to save my throws from hitting cars or windows and picking all my short hops. Don’t think my arm would be as strong as it is without you. And Roman I’m still sorry about your ankle.

9. Thank you for picking me up when I was down on myself or frustrated.

There were some days that were tough and I would get discouraged that my strength wasn’t as strong as it used to be. Thank you for reassuring me that some days are harder than others and that sometimes I was too hard on myself. I appreciate you encouraging me when I was frustrated and assuring me I will get back to the way it was before injury.

10. Thanks for always greeting me with a smile and making physical therapy enjoyable.

Jaime, I don’t think I’ve ever had a session with you in the last six years where you were not smiling or having a good time. Thank you to all the therapists at Body Werks for making a place that can easily be dreaded, fun and a positive atmosphere.

11. Thanks for continuing to treat me even though I’ve been there 50x.

Sorry you have to see me so much. I’m accident prone, what can I say. No matter how many times I've been there and with all my different injuries, thanks for making each round of therapy successful. Thank you for always giving me the best care possible and getting me ready in time for season.

12. Thank you for always working with my schedule.

I know you have tons of patients that need to be seen, so thank you for always accommodating me to make sure I can be treated. The receptionists are always so helpful and understanding in trying to fit me in the schedule.

13. Thanks for being a huge part in my success as an athlete.

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you guys. If it weren’t for you and rehabbing my foot a few years back during recruiting, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to be playing Division 1 Softball. If it weren’t for you guys, I wouldn’t have been able to play my freshman year after tearing my labrum and rotator cuff. All the off field advice you’ve given over the years and all the care I’ve received from you, has made me a stronger athlete both physically and mentally. For that, I am extremely grateful.

Thank you for another successful summer. I can’t thank you guys enough for being the best physical therapists a girl could have. Body Werks is a special place and I’m so grateful for all the staff there. Enjoy your 3 month break without me.

*Thanks to Body Werks Physical Therapy especially Marc, Jaime, Roman, Mikey and Dan*