2018 Reflections — Jacqueline Wiles | U.S. Women's Alpine Ski Team

It has taken me a long time to put down the following journey into words. To say these last 8 months have been life changing is an understatement. On February 3rd, 2018, I sustained a brutal season ending injury. My world came crashing down as I took a nasty spill in Garmisch, Germany. I tore my ACL, MCL, LCL, POL, lateral Meniscus, Tib/Fib Joint, broken Fibula with perennial nerve damage. The physical trauma luckily was hindered by instinctive shock. The emotional devastation just two days before heading to the Olympics was incredibly hard. Coming off a podium finish, I was excited to keep the momentum going into Korea.

The day of my crash, my team mates came straight to the hospital after the race to visit me. Still Team USA on or off the slopes. Love these girls so much!

My injury has been a true test of positivity and perseverance. I have cycled through the stages of grief and I still question myself sometimes. Even with all of this I never thought my outlook could be so positive as it is now at 8 months post surgery. Life will always throw challenges our way and it’s up to us on how we respond. I feel as though I am growing so much more as a human and wouldn’t change anything. We must look at these traumatic events as a time to reflect, learn and grow.

Dr. LaPrade, Dr. Haytmanek , Dr. Clanton and their team at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado worked so hard and took excellent care with my surgery! CAUTION: graphic photos of surgery if you scroll!

I get sucked into a ski racing world bubble. It’s been my whole world. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my job ... but I have really found what matters the most to me. It’s the love of family and friends. I wouldn’t have been able to get through all this without these people that mean so much to me. I have learned to really cherish the relationships in my life. Even though I wake up every morning with my knee in pain, my heart is happy with the love of people I have in my life … and for that I feel sincere gratitude.

Mom and Dad picking me up at the Portland airport post-crash, pre-surgery. Couldn’t do it without them!

My Aunt Cheryl and I at the Lindsey Vonn Foundation fundraiser. She’s been with me every step of the way.

My brother Steele and I - been by my side since day one.

Celebrating the Fourth of July on the Oregon Coast with family and friends. My favorite holiday of the year!

Birthday celebration at the Sylvan Esso concert on the lawn at Edgefield in Portland.

Getting back to skiing is a whole other story. At first I was optimistically hopeful to return to snow beginning of October in Chile. I had been stressing about this date in my mind for awhile. I missed skiing so much I started watching ski racing footage. Looking at the forces I would need to resist in the future gave me anxiety and doubt. With trying to keep a positive mind frame, I still question my future. Wondering if I can get my body to be stronger than where I was pre-injury. But I am determined to get back to the slopes stronger than ever.

This past month I have found calm and peace knowing that I am no longer going to try and rush this process. No more will I stress over things that I cannot control. All I can do is continue to work as hard as possible every day and continue to get better. Watching my badass teammate Laurenne go through a devastating injury similar to mine gives me inspiration and calm knowing I will make it through. All this work will be worth it once I am back on the snow and that moment will be AMAZING. With having some setbacks with tendon pain in my quad I am still hopeful and confident I will be able to return to racing this winter.

Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out and supported me these past 8 months. Your love and support is felt. I would not be where I am without all the encouragement. My message to anyone going through an injury - no matter how big or small - just know everything will be better with time.