The Decision Between Future or Health

Michelle Perea
BMHS PrideTime Reporter

Photo: Bob Luckey Jr. / Hearst Connecticut Media

“Unfortunately you have a chronic rotator cuff injury. This is common when it comes to athletes. However, surgery would be the only way to truly fix the tear. You don’t have to decide now, but in the meantime you can perform these exercises to help your shoulder strength.” These are the words Aija Andrews' (‘19) doctor told her. At this point, everything else went blank, all Andrews was thinking about was her basketball career.

The Brien McMahon’s girls basketball team have accomplished six wins so far. However, one player in particular, Andrews is a huge source for the team. Since her freshman year, Andrews has participated on the team making varsity and joining other sports like volleyball and track.

“When I was little I played in NAA, GBA, GBA travel, AAU, and high school,” says Andrews. Basketball has been Andrews’ main sport starting when she was about four years old, and has found it amazing to play.

The amount of blocks and points this 5’10” player puts up has given her the attention and made her an important player for the team.

However during her sophomore year, Andrews began to notice shoulder pain. She received shocking news about a tear in her rotator cuff, coming to the conclusion that surgery is needed. But with the surgery, Andrews was told that there are risks. She may not be able to continue any physical activity or else it will cause more damage.

“I’m supposed to do exercises, like doorway stretches and more that involve weights, and I’m supposed to get surgery but I never feel like doing the exercises, and I'm not getting surgery because I can’t play at all if I do so I'm not risking that,” says Andrews.

For the love of the game, Andrews wants to continue playing basketball in college because it is her “only way out.” Her goal is to win a scholarship and play at any school that offers more money.“Like I don’t get good grades so getting a scholarship is my only way I might get into college,” says Andrews

The player wants to get surgery after college, but her mother and loved ones believe that she should get surgery soon before it gets worse.

Andrew’s decision between her health and her team have not come easy, she wants to do both but knows that one day she won’t. “It be hurting a lot, but I’m the type to take pain so when it hurts, I just shake it off and keep on playing.”