Kaylin Y.

Photography by Dominick Fini

If you’re reading this, know there is beauty in the hardships of your life. Hardships produce character and resilience, and these are the stories that shape us. 

From the summer and into the fall semester I have experienced quite a series of unfortunate events, it felt as though there was something bad that happened to me every week. Whether it was slashed tires, oral surgery, a car accident, and much more…it just felt like life wouldn’t let me catch a break. I kept asking myself when it would get better, and when I asked that my life felt like it began to spiral downward even faster: I found out that I tore my labrum in my shoulder completely, and I had a bone deformity which has caused over 10 shoulder dislocations. 

My journey with my shoulder injury is still ongoing, and finding out that I needed surgery was my tipping point. The thought of surgery is scary because I know that there is going to be an immense amount of pain. The whole process has been extremely stressful as I have to speed up the time that I finish the semester. It is also debilitating that I can’t even do daily activities such as putting my glasses on the nightstand without being in immense pain. However, my physical therapist encouraged me that this is a step closer towards doing the things I love again. Right now, there is no hope since my shoulder mobility is limited until after surgery, but I am now looking forward to the finish line. I am realizing that this is going to be a long, slow process but it has taught me to appreciate the little victories.

I just completed a half-marathon which was one of the small victories that I now realize is worth celebrating. There was a high risk of more damage to the bone, but I still ran the race and fortunately there was no further injury. I ran it because I trained so hard even though I had so many setbacks, and it was a reminder that I need to run this race of life with endurance. This experience taught me so much about discipline, gratitude, and that there is always a finish line at the end of a challenge. I thought of this in relation to post-op: there is a need for discipline when doing the physical therapy exercises. I also am grateful that I have the resources to get this surgery, and there will be a day when I can have a sense of normalcy again. Those 13 miles were long, but it was rewarding. Just like the 4-6 months of recovery will be long, the return to normalcy is incredibly rewarding.

Broken bones and difficult emotions can bring so much discouragement, but life is still beautiful. From the grief through losing loved ones, failed relationships, unfortunate circumstances, and broken body parts it has shown me the beauty of life. I realized that my life is worth fighting for, and there will be a moment when the light shines through the clouds. Even through the surgery, rehab, and the whole recovery process there will still be moments of positivity. When I find myself spiraling mentally I try to remember the little things that bring me joy. Even remembering little moments like weekly meetings with my research professor or even doing work at Grit.

I am re-learning gentleness with myself and taking it day by day. I am also trying to make room for any obstacles that may come my way and fight it with gratitude and joy. 

Kaylin Y. (she/her), University of Virginia ‘25

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