Senior Remmie Ingraham is dedicated to athletics. She played basketball and other sports at clubs and school, but after her third ACL tear, she was faced with the harsh truth: she could no longer play sports.

“I have had five knee surgeries,” Remmie said. “I’ve torn my ACL three times and my meniscus with [my ACL] and two times more. They are all due to playing sports, basketball in particular.” 

Though Remmie faced many injuries, she held out hope to continue playing the physical activities she loves. Even though she can no longer play a sport, she still stays active. 

“It was initially going to physical therapy right after [the injury],” Remmie said. “And because I was still planning on playing basketball, I would do conditioning and lift weights. And now that I know that I can’t play sports, I like to ride the peloton or just go to the gym, run, just find ways to stay active.” 

Remmie has fought through injury after injury. The gym has brought her comfort, and knowing that she can still work out after everything she has been through is a relief and provides more motivation. 

“I’ve always found security in being active,” Remmie said. “And it’s a way for me to relieve stress and just kind of get my mind off things going on. And for me, it’s good to know that even though I have had these injuries, I can still do daily activities and workout in the ways I want to.”

Remmie hasn’t persevered through these setbacks alone; her family and friends have come forward to support her. They cheer her on, just as she is their cheerleader from the stands as they compete in different sports. 

“My parents are both really helpful,” Remmie said. “And they want to see me do the things I want to do and anyone I have played basketball with. My coaches and friends, they want to see me succeed even if it’s not in basketball, just doing daily activities, and they’re all just super supportive, and I appreciate them for that.” 

Remmie’s friends support her, so in turn, she goes to their games and returns the favor. She stays connected to sports through her friends. Remmie has found new ways to engage in the sports she loves without playing. 

“I like to watch [basketball] at the collegiate level,” Remmie said. “I like to watch my friends and like to support them, and a lot of them are going to play at college, and I hope to go watch their games and support them in any way I can.”

Many of the friendships Remmie values have come from sports. Her relationship with her teammates and coaches didn’t end after her last injury, and Remmie continues to view them as some of her closest friends. 

“I have [stayed in touch with my friends from basketball]; they all reach out to me,” Remmie said. “They’re my best friends, especially from AUO like Theryn [Hallock].”

Remmie will never be without sports in her life, even though she can no longer play. She has her friends and family’s support to stay active, and she cheers from the sideline at every game she can make it out to. Not being able to play hasn’t been a complete curse as it has freed up more time in Remmie’s life for work and school. She will always love sports and other athletic activities but is excited to explore other hobbies and opportunities. 

“[Once] you have an injury, you realize that sports are not your whole life,” Remmie said. “[There] are other things you can do. I was dead set on playing sports in college, but now, I get a whole different opportunity, like going to a big school, and there are still ways to be integrated into the sport even if it isn’t actively playing it every day.”