6 months ago I experienced an injury that has prevented me from playing football at my best. After a long wait for an MRI scan, we decided it was best for me to go private for a scan to identify the problem and start my recovery. Unfortunately, the MRI scan came back that my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) had been torn, and there was small damage to my meniscus in the knee. Something that can’t be strengthened properly without surgery.

I’ve always trained well and have never really suffered from injuries previously, so this has hit me really hard both mentally and physically. I’m no longer able to do the thing I love the most or even do basic things like walk/run without pain. It is affecting my day-to-day life and feels like it has put everything on pause.

This has been a huge setback for me in my football journey, with the hopes of going to play college football in America and participating in the International Island Games competition in Orkney looking highly unlikely this year. Football has always been a huge part of my life, and it’s all I’ve known from a very young age, which makes it even harder mentally and physically knowing I have a very long road to recovery before being able to make a return, hopefully stronger than ever, to football.

Due to the long waits on the NHS, it could be several months/years before I could get the surgery I need, which would set back my hopes and dreams within sports even further. Due to these reasons, I decided to explore my options down the private route to get the surgery and the recovery process on the road quicker and more efficiently.

I will be able to undergo the surgery I need much sooner, allowing me to kickstart my recovery and hopefully return to the pitch stronger than ever doing what I do best. This would bring me closer to achieving my goals in football without any more setbacks

Thanks,

Jess x