By Matt Jenkins
PEABODY — It seemed like punishment.
As if recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury wasn't enough, three Peabody High girls basketball players were asked to write about the physical and emotional toll of their recovery.
At various points during last year's basketball season, Peabody head coach Jane Heil told Alyssa Manoogian, Carissa Milley and Taylor Provost to step away from their teammates and write in a journal she provided. Heil prompted her trio of players — each of whom suffered torn ACLs sometime during the late summer or early fall of 2008 — with single questions upon which they could expound.
Although the activity at first seemed to be a hassle, it ultimately proved to be cathartic, leading to a six-chapter book with a dedication, coaches' introduction, the players' stories told through their eyes (and their families) and inspirational words from their Tanner teammates.
"Initially, when coach said to go in the locker room and write it, you're like, 'Ugh, I don't want to write it,'" Provost said. "But you get in there and start writing things and talking about things, and once you get into it it's fun. Even now looking back or reading it, I'm glad I did it."
The book, titled "The ACL Curse," was done at least in part in the hopes of exorcising a demon. You only need to make it to the dedication on the first page to find the primary point.
"This book is dedicated to the HOPE that enough is enough — no more," it reads. "If, however, this devastating injury strikes again, we offer this book as an example of how to survive. Draw strength from your families and teammates. Bounce back!"
All three have done just that. Milley has become a standout for the Tanners as a senior; Provost is a sophomore on the Peabody High JV team; and the since-graduated Manoogian rounded back into form while playing soccer at Colgate University this past fall.
Time lost
A common misconception about ACL injuries is that recovery is strictly a physical challenge. Yet as painful as the initial tear is, it can't compare to the wear and tear on one's mind.
"When we sat down to write, it was kind of like we were re-living everything we did," Milley said. "You still feel the emotions. The pain you went through is still a part of you, but hearing everyone else's story makes you think you can get through it.
"Writing that book was more like releasing the pain that we had."
Each ACL injury story is a tale of time lost. Losing a school year of sports (ACL recovery usually takes 6-8 months) can be devastating to student-athletes who sense how precious their time on the court or the field is.
Milley should feel cheated.
After a promising freshman year as a point guard on the Peabody High junior varsity team, she blew out her right knee on Sept. 27, 2008 while playing in an AAU basketball game. Surgery and recovery meant her sophomore basketball season was a wash — but at least she had two more seasons to contribute at the varsity level.
Then, 360 days after her first knee injury, Milley tore her left ACL and was forced to sit out her junior year as well.
Milley could deal with the physical pain; the thought of battling through it mentally again was almost enough to make her give up.
"I finally made the comeback and was like, 'OK, here we go, basketball season for high school is coming,'" Milley said. "Then I didn't know what I was going to do (when I tore the other ACL). Was I going to be able to make the comeback from this one? It's just so much work to make that first comeback. I was like, 'I have to do this all over again?'"
Rewarded for her perseverance
Milley is back now and playing well for a Peabody High team that is a threat to win the Northeastern Conference Large title this winter, and her dedication to the Tanners despite her injury was rewarded by Heil. Without ever suiting up for the Tanners varsity beforehand, Milley was named as one of four Peabody captains for her senior season.
"I was pretty honored because I put a lot of time in. I was still here every game, every practice," Milley said. "I helped out as much as I could and gave as much as I could. I didn't think (I was going to be captain) because I didn't step on a court in two years."
Milley had shown enough leadership to justify the selection in Heil's eyes.
"Knowing that she probably would have contributed a lot as a junior, I went out on a limb and named her captain," Heil said. "She never missed practice.
"It has to be painful on the sidelines. It was a very unique year for us and I think it's made us mentally and emotionally stronger. I'm thrilled for the program and myself — but more for Carissa."
