O que me derrubou me ajudou a levantar | Lana Miranda | TEDxColegio Anchieta Youth

Key Concepts

• Childhood Nostalgia: The longing for a time of innocence, freedom from fear, pain, and limitations.
• Passion for Volleyball: A deep-seated love for the sport, experienced from a young age, providing happiness and a sense of belonging.
• Impact of the Pandemic: Disruption of competitive sports and the shift to informal play, highlighting the social and emotional value of volleyball.
• Shoulder Dislocation: A significant injury that occurred during a playful moment, leading to fear and a loss of confidence in playing volleyball.
• Psychological Impact of Injury: The development of fear, anxiety, and self-doubt stemming from the physical injury and the potential for recurrence.
• Claustrophobia and MRI: The challenge of undergoing medical imaging due to fear of enclosed spaces, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
• Open MRI: A more accessible alternative for individuals with claustrophobia, enabling the necessary diagnostic imaging.
• Fear of Diagnosis and Surgery: Anxiety surrounding the potential findings of medical scans and the prospect of surgical intervention.
• Rehabilitation and Strengthening: The process of physical therapy and targeted exercises to regain shoulder function and build resilience.
• Resilience and Overcoming Fear: The mental fortitude required to confront fears, embrace challenges, and continue pursuing passions despite limitations.
• Personal Growth: The understanding that physical limitations do not define one's spirit or potential.
• Moving Forward: The importance of focusing on progress and future actions rather than dwelling on past regrets or "what ifs."

The Journey of a Young Volleyball Enthusiast: From Childhood Joy to Overcoming Injury

This narrative recounts the personal journey of Lana Pad Miranda, a 16-year-old student, detailing her profound connection with volleyball and the significant challenges she faced due to a shoulder injury. The story begins with a nostalgic reflection on childhood, a period characterized by uninhibited joy, playfulness, and a perceived absence of fear, pain, or limitations. Lana expresses a desire to return to this carefree era.

A Lifelong Passion for Volleyball

Lana's passion for volleyball ignited early, around the age of eight. She describes herself as an energetic child, always drawn to activities involving nets, balls, and courts. Volleyball, in particular, held a special place in her heart, serving as her "space" and a source of happiness. She actively participated in championships, winning medals and experiencing immense joy.

The Pandemic's Influence and a Fateful Accident

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her competitive volleyball experience, eliminating tournaments and the thrill of winning medals. However, Lana adapted by continuing to play informally at her grandfather's farm, improvising a net and engaging her family in the sport. This period highlighted volleyball's ability to evoke childlike joy in adults.

The turning point occurred in 2022 when, while playing with her dog, Ose, Lana fell awkwardly on her arm. The initial pain led her to believe she had broken her arm, but it was diagnosed as a near-dislocation that had self-corrected. A doctor later informed her that the injury could have been far worse, comparing it to the impact of a motorcycle accident where significant weight is placed on a single arm, potentially fracturing the humeral head.

The Grip of Fear and Psychological Impact

Following this incident, Lana lost her desire to play volleyball. The fear of re-dislocating her arm and enduring days of pain in a sling became pervasive. This fear manifested in recurring dislocations, with one particularly traumatic event occurring at a child's birthday party. While trying to retrieve a ball from a swimming pool, Lana's shoulder dislocated again. Being in the deep end of the pool, she instinctively submerged and panicked, realizing she couldn't get out on her own. Her boyfriend's assistance was crucial in helping her reach the edge.

This experience triggered profound reflections on her vulnerability and the potential burden she placed on others. She contemplated the consequences of being alone or with only children who wouldn't know how to help. The feeling of embarrassment and helplessness, coupled with the realization that no one present possessed the medical knowledge to assist her, led to a prolonged period of not playing.

Returning to the Court and Facing Scrutiny

Despite the fear, Lana eventually found the courage to return to volleyball. However, this return was met with constant commentary and doubt from others, such as "she can't serve, her arm will dislocate." These remarks, though often based on a probable reality, were more emotionally damaging than any physical injury. She felt trapped by her own thoughts, external pressure, and the inability to perform at her full potential.

The Struggle with Diagnosis and Claustrophobia

A significant obstacle in addressing her condition was her fear of enclosed spaces, specifically the claustrophobia she experienced during MRI scans. For nearly four years, she avoided this crucial diagnostic step, feeling guilt for the delay. She attempted an MRI, entering the machine, but the overwhelming anxiety and feeling of suffocation forced her to exit.

Breakthrough with Open MRI and the Prospect of Surgery

Years later, Lana gained access to an open MRI, which allowed her to undergo the examination. However, upon receiving the results, she hesitated to open them, fearing what they might reveal and whether any solutions would be within her capacity to undertake. Upon reviewing the scan, she discovered that surgery was a potential treatment. This realization presented a stark choice: confront her greatest fear (surgery) to reclaim her greatest passion (volleyball).

Overcoming Anxiety and Finding a Path Forward

Lana's mind was filled with "what ifs" regarding potential complications from surgery. However, she recognized that much of this anxiety stemmed from her eagerness to resolve the issue and return to her sport. A subsequent doctor's visit provided immense relief: the diagnosis indicated that only shoulder strengthening exercises were necessary, not surgery.

Redefining Strength and Resilience

Lana acknowledges that her shoulder will never be exactly as it was before the injury. However, she has learned that this physical limitation does not define her. Each repetition in her training is not just about physical strength but about rebuilding her courage – the courage of the child who played without fear of judgment.

Conclusion: The Power of Moving Forward

The narrative concludes with a powerful message about resilience. Lana emphasizes that while life will inevitably bring setbacks, the crucial aspect is not the fall itself but how one chooses to move forward. She advocates for progress over dwelling on past regrets or hypothetical scenarios. Lana chooses to continue, embracing fear and pain, believing that her spirit is not limited by physical constraints. Her journey underscores the transformative power of confronting challenges, rebuilding confidence, and finding strength within oneself to pursue one's passions.