Before tearing her ACL on a ski trip in Lake Placid, Caitlyn was an active 28 year old in New York City. Pilates, skiing, running and kettlebell workouts were common parts of her everyday life. After her diagnosis, Caitlin reached out to us at SPEAR to begin treatment to strengthen her body; coming to SPEAR allowed Caitlin to feel better prepared for her approaching ACL surgery, scheduled for late April.

At the beginning of May, Caitlyn returned to SPEAR to continue physical therapy sessions. She recalls her most memorable moment as the day she was able to complete a full pedal stroke on the stationary bike. Just a few weeks later, she was cleared to walk without her brace!

By the summer of 2018, Caitlyn had resumed her active lifestyle and even traveled to Utah to tackle a big hiking trip. When asked to describe her experience, Caitlin stated: “My body feels fully recovered—it’s like night and day. I can do high-level Pilates, hike, and I am back to doing my normal workouts. All in all it was a slow process, but the progress was so rewarding and each day felt like an improvement.” Though an ACL injury can prove to be cumbersome, Caitlin is a prime example of what perseverance looks like. She’s turned her injury into a positive, and now has a better appreciation for apartment building elevators and ice packs! Caitlyn has just returned to the slopes again this winter and she’s excited to scale more mountains, both figuratively and literally, in her future.

Thank you, Caitlyn, for allowing the SPEAR team to be a part of your incredible journey getting Back to Life. We are so happy to see you doing what you love. We know that Life Can’t Wait—you’ve got to go out and tackle those obstacles!