A bat hits the dirt, sending dust flying as a player’s foot leaves the plate and slides across the field. No observer from the bleachers could guess now what it took for junior Karson Potter to make it back on the field two years after his accident, when an ATV flipped, landing on his leg, and he was immediately rushed to the hospital.
“Six weeks later I had a follow-up appointment and found out my leg had been infected,” Potter said. “They transferred me to Texas Childrens where I had eight more surgeries and stayed there for almost a month. I eventually got into a boot and started physical therapy, at Cypress Physical Therapy. Now I am back playing baseball for the first time in two years, and it is a blessing.”
After a skin graft, bone graft, and a muscle transfer, Potter had to be in an external fixator with 19 pins for about a year and go to physical therapy three days a week for a year and a half.
“Recovery was a challenge for me because I had to work twice as hard to get back to where I was,” Potter said. “Sometimes it was draining, but I relied on God and my support system to guide me through this journey.”
Potter said that he is so excited to have made it through physical therapy and be back to playing baseball, a game he has loved for years.
“The best part about being back on the baseball team is being with all the people who have supported me through my journey,” Potter said. “Playing baseball is more than just a game, it is about building friendships that turn into family. Those memories you will never forget.”
The accident changed Potter physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He credits his recovery process for teaching him to work harder and become a stronger person.
“Being in this accident has actually been a huge blessing for me,” Potter said. “I’ve grown so much in my relationship with God and I’ve learned that I just need to trust God has a plan for my life. His plan is so much greater.”
Potter’s best advice he can give to someone going through any form of recovery is to really dig deep and grow your relationship with God. He also believes relying on a support system of friends and family is what helped him tremendously.
“I would like to thank God above all, as well as my parents and my sister,” Potter said. “My parents have sacrificed so much to get me where I am today, and they were with me every step of the way. My sister, Kaylee, was so selfless during my whole journey. She gave up a lot of her senior year to be at my surgeries, we grew a bond and friendship that I will always cherish.”
The community played a huge role in Potter’s recovery as well. He credits them for supporting him through the fundraiser they held for him. Overall, he couldn’t be more grateful for how God used his accident for good.
“God got me through this journey,” Potter said. “My accident could’ve been a lot worse than it was so for that I am thankful. I’ve learned to keep my chin held up and always have a smile on my face no matter the circumstances.”
