IN 2007 I WAS OUT TAKING A LONG BIKE RIDE WITH A FRIEND. When I wasn’t traveling for my tech job, I usually rode three or four times a week with a rotating group of very experienced friends. Each time, we’d ride anywhere from twelve to twenty miles of challenging terrain. I loved it.
On this particular day, we were biking along a ridge in a state park in central Pennsylvania, not far from my home in York, when my pedal clip wouldn’t release. I lost my balance and fell about 14 feet down a ravine onto the rocky ground. While I was falling my clip finally released and I was able to land on my feet instead of my head and neck—but my right leg just crumbled under me. Being a lifelong athlete, I was very familiar with pain; but this was pain like I couldn't have imagined possible.
My friend called 911 immediately.
My leg was sticking straight out to the side from just above my ankle. I straightened it out thinking I might lose my leg if circulation was cut off for too long. The EMTs had tied my leg to a board for support, so no one in the ER realized how bad it was until they took the board off. My leg just flopped over. People started freaking out.
FIRST SURGERY
I was rushed into emergency surgery to “plate” my tibia; the doctors were also worried that I would bleed to death internally. The fact that I still have that leg and did not bleed to death, is an absolute miracle. I ended up being black and blue from my ankle to my shoulders
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Finding New Momentum
Overcoming obstacles caused by the pandemic, the virtual version of this popular festival still achieved its goals.
Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey
In his authoritative biography of the first woman to open a studio, Reiner Grootenhuis delved into her personal papers to tell the harrowing story of her time in a prison camp during World War II.
Racism in the Pilates Industry
Incidents of police brutality and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests have shed a bright light on systemic racism in the U.S., including in the Pilates industry. Here, Black instructors share their experiences.
For Self-defense
Moves of the Month
Comfort Food Made Healthy
This fall, cozy up to tantalizing comfort food that’s also healthy. A new cookbook from Kristin Cavallari shows you how.
Pilates Postcard
A Pilates teacher shares how the method is making waves abroad.
The Ultimate Gift
One year ago, Kahley Schiller’s life was completely upended by an extreme health crisis. But thanks to her 20-year Pilates practice, the 40-year-old was able to recover quickly.
Revelations
For Sarita Allen, a star of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and a protégée of Kathleen Stanford Grant, Pilates was key to her decades-long career.
Meaning WITHIN THE Movement
The Five Elements of Chinese Medicine help you go deeper into your practice, promising plenty of play along the way.
PILATES IN THE HOOD
Though she’s trained many top stars, Kim Carruthers says she’s most proud of her work as the founder and director of a nonprofit bringing the method to underserved communities.
