The Jason Allen story
As a former elite Linebacker and now an accomplished medical practitioner, I have seen my fair share of athletes come and go as a result of serious injuries. In many cases career challenging injuries not only affect the competitive athlete's physical ability, but these injuries often attack the mind.
The transition from someone at the top of their fitness levels with total mastery of Peak Performance Conditioning to a person sitting on the sidelines with crutches or a wheel chair can often be traumatic.
Although it may not be the case in every situation, the likelihood of a competitive athlete returning to top form has in my professional opinion as much to do with how the athlete positively views the challenges in front of them as it does the healing of the muscles. I personally believe that results are predetermined by our beliefs and our undeniable will to succeed.
This belief is as important on and off the playing field as it is in any discipline an individual pursues in life. Whether you are a writer, lawyer, salesman or electrician, your belief in how you will overcome challenges will determine your outcome. My client and current NFL rookie Jason Allen of the Miami Dolphins is just one example of exercising the will to succeed.
Tennessee at Georgia October 8, 2005
Often regarded as the nation's best collegiate player at his position, Jason was known to play the cornerback's position with an increased level of intelligence and with a hard hitting aggressiveness not often seen in a player of his size.Jason's hip sustained serious injury to the joint when he tackled UGA's tight end Leonard Pope. In an instant something so routine as a tackle would change Jason's life forever.
Jason's Challenge
As a medical practitioner I am trained to think in 1's and 2's devoid of emotion. However, when working with many professional and competitive athletes, I fully understand that they often think in visual patterns similar to wavelengths. For the serious athlete emotions are essential in playing a major role in determining outcomes.Therefore, it is so important for my clients to Trust in my Judgment, my methodologies and my desire to have them healed and back in top competitive form as soon as possible.
This was Jason's challenge as he now saw himself walking with crutches fueled with a burning desire to compete once again.
Identifying The Key Areas of Rehabilitation
By definition Rehabilitation means the restoration of a person who has been disabled as the result of an Injury or an acute physical impairment. The goal is assist that individual to a level of function which affords living as independently as possible.In the case of a professional athlete coming back from a serious injury they are heavily scrutinized far beyond that of other citizens in our society. With income contingent on their physical prowess the challenge is to get them far beyond the peak performance levels than they were prior to their injury.
Therefore, Identifying the Key Areas to target, repair and strengthen is critical to my client's future. This is by far the most intense period in our relationship and I must be on point in my judgment.
The Assessment
The Physical Assessment helps us obtain subjective and objective data used to formulate an accurate care plan.Vitality Healthcare's model is based on a Six Sigma approach. However, our process involves 5 phases: 1 - Define, 2 - Measure, 3 - Analyze, 4 - Improve and 5 - Control. the physical examination and documentation.
The Definition stage or scientific methodology used to improve processes, remove defects and increase performance allowed me to understand that Jason was indeed a fighter and in excellent psychological spirit. He knew what lied ahead of him and was determined to conquer it.
Our Measurement stage as well as Analysis stage led us to believe that although Jason's leg injury was severe, there was a lot of solid muscle mass and tissue that would aid in the rehabilitation process if properly managed.
During the Improvement stage we tested for weaknesses and imbalances that would affect out work long term.
Finally, our Control stage or scientific methods of innovative rehabilitation and performance enhancement would reflect our successfully taking Jason's leg to greater heights.
Jason's Committment
As with any campaign of this magnitude, there will be some setbacks when assisting in the restoration of a top level athlete in a limited amount of time.However, as the days passed Jason continued to show progress. He was determined to fight through his fears and keep positive thoughts in his mind.
The leg soon healed itself and we turned to making it stronger than ever before. Although it became very tough at times, I encouraged Jason to do what was right for his progress even though we both knew it would be very difficult.
Mental Toughness
Although we didn't discuss it much we both knew that Jason was now battling an enemy that I could not help him with and that was the war in his mind.During our workouts we often joked about how he would be able to return to the playing field stronger than ever before, but when you are literally competing with the best athletes in the world this realization is at times hard to believe.
Jason knew no matter what that he was not a quitter and that he would not give up. In giving up you lose a part of your soul, your very identity and you will never know what you may have been capable of achieving. You will not likely find anyone successful in life that did not have to apply a fair measure of mental toughness in order to move forward. Jason would be no exception.
Combine 2006
The NFL Combine is a three day showcase taking place every February at Indiana's RCA Dome. The nation's top college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of NFL Coaches, General Managers and Scouts.This years Combine hosted over 300 prospects from 107 universities. I am proud to say the Jason's results were stellar including a 4.39 in the 40 yard dash and he posted the best record in the short shuffle with a 3.81.
Draft Day 2006
With all the fan fare and pageantry of that special day Jason held firm to his faith and what we had accomplished during our sessions.He was quoted as saying that "I think it's a blessing in disguise. I didn't ask God why I had to be injured. It's just a process to test my faith."
With their first pick the Miami Dolphins (16th Overall) selected Jason Allen. They felt like he would be a big asset to their growing defensive dexterity.
I am extremely proud of Jason and know that he has a lot to offer not only the game of football, but also the game of life. His triumph in the face of adversity illustrates the true strength of the human spirit and the character of a champion.
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