September 11, 2010, I’m sitting in the locker room getting ready for the first match of four for the weekend of SHIMMER. I always look forward to the SHIMMER weekends. It’s the one time I get a chance to see all the girls I’ve become friends with, not only across the States, but across the world. I’m putting on the MsChif gear and make-up, stretching out and contemplating a new submission to put on my first opponent. The question in mind was how to smoothly get into it.
You will submit. YOU WILL SUBMIT!!
About 10 minutes before the doors opened to let the fans in, I grabbed one of my friends and asked her to come down to the ring with me to make sure my idea would work. The way I thought to get into it was nothing too fancy, a maneuver I’ve done probably 7,336 times before. However, this time I happened to put my hand down in a position that didn’t allow my arm to turn with me as my shoulder needed to. Once in motion it couldn’t be stopped. I heard a ripping sound in my shoulder, but didn’t think much of it. It wasn’t hurting. I attempted to shake it off and said, “Give me just a minute.” Then I looked down at my arm and said, “Alright, maybe not.” I had dislocated my left shoulder. Sometimes the unfortunate happens. Thankfully, we have great support at these matches. I was brought straight to the ER where they took me right in without having to wait. As my shoulder sat out of place, that’s when all the pain really started to set in. My “SHIMbulance” driver stayed with me throughout the process. He was beyond awesome as he kept me talking about the most random things just to keep my mind off the pain.
