Written By Athlete Manager; Landon McGauley
While we truly believe that all of our athletes are incredible in everything that they do from professional athletes to incredible parents we have 939 athletes who have all left strong impacts on those who know them their community and high fives. They have overcome like changing injuries to become pillars of their community families and lives. We believe strongly in the power that each and everyone of these athletes has to change the world for the better. We wanted to take some time to pay a little extra attention to our athletes who are finding a way to give back in the healthcare system.
These two individuals found ways to overcome their injury and return to the hospital where they themselves were once a patient to showcase their compassion kindness and ability to show a life-changing injury that they still had so much to give.
Desiree Rosdahl – High Fives Athlete #254
Seven years ago on Whiteface Mountain, Desiree Rosdahl experienced a devastating skiing accident.
While skiing down the hill, she lost control and crashed, breaking 13 bones and hitting her head with such force that her helmet snapped. The impact left her with a traumatic brain injury.
In the aftermath, Desiree faced immense challenges, including relearning how to read and speak. Through incredible determination and hard work, she overcame these obstacles and reclaimed her life after the accident.
Do you have any recommendations or advice to anyone with a disability looking to work in healthcare?
It’s ok to be open and honest about your disability and what you might need to be successful. Don’t be afraid to talk to a manager about accommodations that can help you. Even though things will be different than they were before your accident, there are still lots of ways to work in healthcare with a disability that are meaningful and worthwhile.
What are your favourite parts of the job?
I love that I get to work as part of a team and that even though each day is different, there is consistency in the surgical cases that we do. It’s also fulfilling that I get to be a patient’s advocate for such an important part of their life from when they check in for surgery to when their procedure is over, so there’s a lot of trust in that process.
What are some of the challenges you face with your disability in the field? How do you overcome it?
I am very hard on myself because I feel like I have to be better than anyone else because I have a TBI. Reminding myself that even on a day that I struggled I still am a very good nurse. Counseling to help me accept my new reality, build confidence in myself and work through these changes.
Did your time in the hospital after your accident factor into your choice to work in healthcare? If so how?
I was already a nurse prior to my accident but it gave me perspective of what it is like to be a patient and how important it is for patients to understand what is happening and be involved in their care plan. It also made me want to work hard to get back to work as soon as I could because of how much I love being a nurse. I would never give up being an OR nurse for anything it makes me feel so fulfilled and helps me give back.
Jordan Anderson High Five Athlete #242
Jordan fractured his T4 and T5 vertebrae and sustained a spinal cord contusion while competing in the first-ever Coeur d’Alene Enduro bike race, a two-day event.
On the second day of the competition, he wanted to practice the finish line jump to avoid hitting it blind during the race. The night before, he rolled over it cautiously, but that morning, he carried far too much speed and overshot the landing. Thankfully, he managed to tuck his head before impact.
The crash knocked him unconscious, and when he came to, he knew his life was about to take a dramatic and unexpected turn.
Do you have any recommendations or advice to anyone with a disability looking to work in healthcare?
Be persistent, and most importantly believe in yourself and your abilities. You have a very unique perspective that is very valuable to the healthcare world.
What are your favorite parts of the job?
Relating to the patients that I’m caring for, treating them as a human rather than an object/condition.
What are some of the challenges you face with your disability in the field? How do you overcome it?
The consistent challenges mirror everyday life, it’s just a different setting. Overcome by adapting where I can, and asking for help often.
Did your time in the hospital after your accident factor into your choice to work in healthcare? If so how?
It did. I was defeated at first, and after spending all that time in the hospital I was filled with inspiration to push the limits and influence positive change in the lives of other patients.
It’s clear from both Jordan and Desiree’s experiences that giving back and supporting others through the recovery process is deeply meaningful to them. Their journeys have shaped their dedication to helping others, making their work even more impactful. We’re incredibly proud of them for turning such life-changing events into opportunities to improve the lives of their patients.
