It is impossible to predict anything right now. Questions about the future of our country, the economy, the public health - they all can't be answered beyond what is happening today. This is why I have to take each day as a new opportunity to determine what I can control today. One of the ways to do that is through writing. It helps me to focus on what I am passionate about. I can hone the message I have about creating a more inclusive world for gender diverse people in sports.
It's hard, however, to forget that all sports are currently on hold. The very thing that gave me purpose, hope and sanity as a gender diverse kid is now not available during this crisis. It’s hard to not feel like sports is just a trivial activity when our country has over 80,000 deaths and climbing.
But, then I remember how powerful it is to be a part of a team. The sense of belonging and community is healing. Those aspects are still with every athlete and coach even though we can’t be on the field together. I would argue that is is precisely the experiences of being an athlete or coach that has given our sports community the ability to endure this time. There will always be challenges, tragedies and crisis in our world, but when we rely on each other and our collective skills we are far more likely to emerge stronger on the other side.
