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DEL.ICIO.USAdversity can’t hold Allen back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Janine Allen cleared hurdles even before she walked. She’s overcome obstacles ever since.
“She really can stand up to high-stress situations with grace.” Mother knows best.
Brenda Allen e-mailed a reply to my inquiry into what makes her and husband Stanley proudest of Janine, a crackerjack softball player at Francis Marion University. At Brookwood High, she also played soccer and basketball. Until, that is, Janine’s knee popped.
With sights on playing college softball, Janine tore an ACL in a spring basketball league game. It happened to be peak softball recruiting period. “It began to look like she was not going to get any scholarship offers to play softball,” Brenda Allen said.
In the fall, Janine returned to the diamond for the Lady Broncos. Not always pleasant.
“It was pretty hard for her; she played through a lot of pain,” her mom said. “The pain particularly effected her hitting.”
Come basketball season, Janine was out on the court.
“Despite the pain,” Brenda Allen said. “Although it was pretty scary playing, it really helped her build her strength back in her knee.”
Yet when it seemed no softball scholarship would arise, Janine decided to attend Georgia Tech and give up the sport. Suddenly, Francis Marion showed interest. Janine visited the NCAA Div. II school in Florence, S.C. She was smitten.
“I came up here and fell in love with the campus and my coach,” Janine said. “Decided I’d go ahead and stick with it, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Recently Peach Belt Conference player of the week, Janine has blossomed into a feared batter.
“My power numbers have been better than ever,” she said, “so I’m getting a little more recognition. It feels good to be hitting the ball well.” Janine has much more to appreciate.
Shortly after birth, she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. The condition involves dislocation of the joint. The solution is no picnic, either.
“She was in traction for three weeks and then had surgery on both hips and was put into a body cast for six months,” Brenda Allen recalled.
“After the body cast, she wore a brace for another four months.”
The ordeal proved worthy.
“She was walking by 14 months, and we have never looked back,” her mom said. “We are most proud of Janine’s perseverance — the way when a challenge was put in front of her, she did what was necessary to meet it. She showed this in academics as well as sports.
“I am also proud of how she managed to juggle three high school sports,travel and select club teams, the demands of gifted classes. … She rose to the demand of the chaos and stress.I admire that, and maybe that is why she plays third base.”
Through it all, Janine maintains an abiding attitude.
“It’s been hard,” she said. “I went through a lot of physical therapy. It took awhile to get my strength back in my knee. There still was a lot of pain. But to me, it’s one of those things where if you love a sport, you’ll do anything to keep playing.”
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By Coach Ron Link
April 14, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
Great article!!! I worked with her one-on-one in basketball for years and she was a great listener, and worker> Thanks for a job well done!!
Coach Ron Link Head Boys Basketball Coach Cedar Shoals High School Athens, GA
By online blog
April 22, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
online blog. Your information strongly has helped me, thank you for it!