Determination Through the Recovery Process Physical Therapy Helped Quarterback Alex Smith
Earlier this year, Alex Smith retired from the NFL after helping the Washington Football Team achieve an NFC East title last year — but that’s not what most people will remember him for. Rather, they will remember Smith for fighting through one of the worst injuries ever sustained by a player in the history of the game. For anyone who might be unfamiliar with his story, here are a few of the basics: On Nov. 18, 2018, Smith sustained a spiral and compound fracture in his tibia and fibula in his right leg after getting sacked by Kareem Jackson. He was rushed to surgery immediately, but that was just the beginning. A serious infection in Smith’s blood led to a series of medical complications and 17 more surgeries. All of this should have meant Smith was done with professional football for good. After all, he nearly lost his leg! But thanks to his determination, and help from a qualified physical therapist, he was able to steadily recover.
Intrepid, a rehab center normally reserved for combat veterans. However, Smith’s injuries were severe enough that they actually mirrored a lot of what the doctors at the facility were used to working with. The Washington Team’s physician, Dr. Robin West, made the visit possible after she contacted her friend Johnny Owens, a physical therapist who used to work at the Center for the Intrepid. He got Smith connected with the team of physical therapists at the facility. Then, he got to work. According to Smith’s wife, he was doing physical therapy five, sometimes six times a week. He seemed determined to recover, and in the end, it paid off. Against all odds, Smith returned to the field for his final season with the NFL, almost completely recovered from his injury.
In many ways, Smith represents what can happen when someone fully dedicates themselves to their recovery — a new life, where he could do things that no one thought would be possible for him again.
In February 2019, Smith was cleared by the office of the secretary of defense to receive a medical consultation from the military at the Center for the
Jen’s Thanksgiving Traditions
Recipe for Fassoulia — Armenian String Beans
Every family has different holiday traditions. My family traditions have changed a little
Then, we have the desserts: pies, Armenian cookies called kourabia, and a birthday cake for my nephews and me since our birthdays happen the week before Thanksgiving. This is when we tell stories — lots of stories — often about my parents when they were younger or stories about my grandparents and great-grandparents. The picture is of me at 6 days old with the turkey. Don’t worry — I wasn’t on the menu. When my nephews were born, their pictures were also taken with the turkey.
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over the years but largely have stayed the same. The main thing about Thanksgiving for us is that it’s a time to get together, have a great meal, and reminisce. When we were younger, Thanksgiving morning would involve watching the Macy’s Day Parade on TV. Every year, I still try to watch at least some of the parade. Once we were in middle and high school, Thanksgiving started off with the high school football game. The Thanksgiving meal was always the big event. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, fassoulia (a julienned string bean and tomato stew), and cranberry sauce made up the feast. When I was younger, my mom would cook the turkey and the entire house would smell delicious. Now, my dad grills it outside over charcoal, and it’s amazing.
3 lbs green beans, julienned the long way so beans are thin 2 large onions, sliced very thin 1/4 cup olive oil or more to taste (provides flavor)
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16 oz tomato sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions 1. In a large skillet, sautée green beans and sliced onions in olive oil. Add tomato sauce. 2. Add salt and pepper to taste. 3. Simmer until vegetables are tender.
*Recipe can be adjusted for the amount of string beans used.
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