GPOYW Bad Ass edition
GPOYW - Bonus photo edition
Last night at practice Miss Dairy Air gave me one hell of a derby kiss. I also managed to bruise my hip and jam my shoulder practicing can openers. It was so much fun!
Last night was the Lumber Jills first bout against the Utica rollergirls and after a 4 hour car ride during which I proclaimed it would take an act of god to break my fat bones, I broke my tibia and fibula. A lovely spiral fracture whilst doing nothing exciting. I did the most basic spin, a little 180, a skate skill I learned over a year ago and for some reason (I’m guessing my Poison wheels being too sticky for the concrete floor) one leg spun while the other stayed put. The next thing I knew I heard/felt a pop and was on my ass wanting to puke everywhere.
I’m trying to be optimistic but honestly I’m devastated, angry and frustrated.
- I wasn’t even doing anything cool or remotely exciting
- I only have insurance through USARS which (1) hasn’t returned any of my phone calls and (2) covers damage AFTER you pay a $2500 deductable
- I am completely debilitated and fucking helpless right now which is driving me insane…I hate relying on other people and inconveniencing them and even more so I hate not having any independence. I can barely wipe my own ass.
- Most importantly, I can’t skate for most likely 2 months MINIMUM and that is being naively optimistic. I essentially took the next year off for derby and I’m about to lose a quarter of it and the entire season.
I just potentially destroyed my summer in one fell swoop but what can you do. I’m just going to sit here and get fat and watch Netflix. Hopefully an Ortho doc appointment tomorrow and surgery within the next 2 days or so.
Also, a quick shout out to my Lumber Jills who I heard did an AMAZING job despite lots of bullshit calls, scoreboard “malfunctions”, illegal blocks, injuries and exhaustion. I can’t express how badly I wish I had been out there fighting with you and drinking burrs afterwards. I hope someone is wheeling to wheel my ass to the Monopole.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. I’m thinking of you from across the lake, girl. I hope you heal very quickly. Nt sure what I can do but if you need maple syrup of VT chocolate I’m your gal.
Last night some skaters from the Plattsburgh Lumber Jills & the Twin City Riot came to town to scrimmage with us. After warm ups we started our first drill, weaving through the pace line. One of the Lumber Jills’ skaters, Big Ben (seen jamming in the photo) fell down during the drill. Falling down during a drill isn’t uncommon or unusual in any way but then Big Ben didn’t get up and then she started screaming. We all took a knee and then the ambulance was called. As she was wheeled out on a gurney Big Ben threw up the horns like a rock star. It turns out that she just fell wrong and the result is that she broke her ankle.
It makes me stop and remember that we play a full contact sport, that injuries happen, that we are strong and powerful women but we are fragile too and that can be scary.
Our whole league is hoping for a speedy and full recovery for Big Ben and we’re sending much derby love to the Jills. Why don’t you pop over to the Jills’ facebook page and leave a little derby love yourself.
Update: Here’s an update sent by fellow Jill, Lex Appeal.
Benny is being picked up from the hospital in about an hour, she is casted and (hopefully) somewhat drugged….she broke both bones in her ankle and they called it a spiral break, which is why her foot was facing the to the side. She will be on crutches for a while and we are still not sure whether or not she will need surgery. She has two boys and an AMAZING hubby, not to mention her loving team, to help take care of her over the next few months. She’s a fierce little firecracker and we send her much love and hope for a super speedy recovery!!
