FOUNDER’S CORNER THE STORY OF MY FAMOUS THANKSGIVING HOT DOG
Back when I was in college, a single conversation with my mom kicked off a yearslong Thanksgiving tradition. I was spending the day with her, my dad, and my brother when she commented, “You know what? We can be thankful on other days apart from the real Thanksgiving.”
me, especially in college! When my friends heard I had no one to spend Thanksgiving with, I got invites out the wazoo. Sometimes I ate three Thanksgiving meals on the same day. When someone asked about my plans, my go-to sympathy line was, “Oh, you know, I’ll just stay home alone and cook a turkey … hot dog.” It worked every time. These days, my parents no longer take Thanksgiving road trips, but we still celebrate the holiday early. Thanksgiving itself is reserved for visiting my wife, Darlene’s, family in Arizona! Last year, we stayed home with our girls because of COVID-19, so this fall, we’re particularly excited about the trip. Darlene’s family is originally from New Mexico, so their celebration features New Mexican classics like red chile sauce, pozole, and homemade tamales alongside the turkey.
My brother and I exchanged looks. Here was Mom, getting on her soapbox! He decided to head her off before the sermon started. “You’re right, Mom,” he said, “We should be thankful every day of the year!” Mom’s response surprised us. “That’s not what I mean!” she said. “You know that your father and I love to travel in our RV. I think we should reschedule Thanksgiving and use that long weekend to take a road trip!” My brother and I cracked up, and a new family tradition was born. From then on, our family celebrated Thanksgiving the Sunday before the real holiday. It worked out beautifully for
Watching Darlene, Jessica, and Allie roll tamales assembly-line style (just like Grandma used to do) makes everything feel right with the world. I can’t wait to visit Scottsdale and do just that.
Stay fit, my friend!
–Michael
PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPED QUARTERBACK ALEX SMITH DETERMINATION THROUGH THE RECOVERY PROCESS
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. 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 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
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