After undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc injured while playing ultimate frisbee, Myles Machida thought he’d never play sports again. He was a freshman in high school.
"I thought I was invincible,” says the student from Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei. “I never thought this would happen to me this young.”
But the support and reassurance from his parents and friends gave him hope when he lost faith. After a painful 6-month recovery and rehabilitation, Machida returned to competing in track and soccer.
Photo: Myles Machida
Now a junior, Machida plans to try out for his school’s volleyball team. He’s even thinking about physical therapy as a career after seeing how it helped him recover.
Machida’s injury has affected him mentally as well. He’s more cautious now to prevent re-injury, but he couldn’t imagine life without sports. It keeps his spirits up and his body in shape. “Plus, I’m pretty competitive,” he admits.
Cover photos: Brad Goda
