<p>GFG: Are these coaches the “crazy” type? Play through the pain, even if it means future chronic pain or injuries? Some coaches take an athlete’s injury very personally, as if the kid just isn’t committed enough to tough it out. At very fine academic schools, sometimes the coaches are not as well supervised because the administrators are so focused on academics & view sports as a diversion.</p>
<p>GFG - OK - she can make herself the head of the RARA’s - and be the best cheerleader for her team - I am sure her team-mates would appreciate someone sheering them on to their victories 
Kinda like a red-shirted college athlete - being a part of a team is important - no matter how little or how much that involvement is :D</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their comments, and sorry for the delay. I didn’t receive any e-mail alerts that there had been new responses.</p>
<p>Yes, she plans to attend the meets and cheer her heart out.</p>
<p>Sticker, funny you should ask whether these coaches are the type who take an injury personally. I’m beginning to think so. At first when D told them about her condition, they just shrugged and said OK–nothing more. No questions, no sympathy, zilch. It was almost as if they suspected she was lying, though she did bring in a specialist’s note. After more than a week had gone by, it must have sunk in that she really wasn’t going to run, so first the assistant coach and then later the head coach tracked her down to ask her for a few more details, such was what exactly was wrong and, of course, if and when she would be back. What was really strange was that a few days after he had questioned her more, the head coach said to D “Hey, I looked up your condition on the internet and it’s just like you said.” We thought that was a very odd comment, especially considering this is not just an aches-and-pains type of thing that one would make up to get out of practice. Besides, D is very good. I could understand their suspicion more if she were the back-of-the-pack-parents-are-making-her-run kind of kid, or even a senior with a scholarship lined up who didn’t want to take any chances with her health. Why on earth would he think we’d make up something serious like that?</p>