Recovery takes time, but you can always bounce back.

Hailey Knightstep is in the 7th grade, at McCullough. She’s been tumbling for eight years, and in this past year, she has had many physical as well as cognitive battles.

 In late December of 2022 Hailey suffered an ankle injury that made her unable to try out for the McC cheer team, Hailey told me “It was a very humbling moment when I could not try out for the cheer team, it had been a goal I was working for since I was little.” Hailey’s friends thought her confidence and cheer journey had been shattered, but that wasn’t the case. Although the road was tough for Hailey. She has worked endless hours with her coaches to gain back everything she lost from her injury. Hailey said, “I Just always keep working hard, and pushing through practice.” Hailey is not planning to give up on her childhood dream anytime soon and plans to try out for the McC cheer team next year, when she’s fully recovered.

 When I asked Hailey how she always stays so confident when tumbling she told me, “I just remind myself that I need to keep trying, and Things always take time.” Hailey has shown her dedication to tumbling and isn’t letting this injury stop her from her dreams.

 As I interviewed Hailey we stopped for a moment. I asked her what one thing she would want others to get from her story. Hailey responded with “Stop overcomplicating things in your life, whatever happens, happens.”

She shocked me with her confident and meaningful answer, and she couldn’t be more correct. Hailey’s story showed me That recovery takes time, but you can always bounce back.