Fast forward

February 25, 2020

Johnson’s road to recovery has been difficult, but he has stayed the course with determination. “He’s continued to come to practice and to games,” Neal says. “It’s obvious that he struggles with not being able to play the game he loves, but he’s grown up a lot through this experience.” 

Once he was able to return to school, he did so on a scooter, and then progressed his way to crutches, and ultimately to a boot. Currently, he is able to shoot free throws at practice.  “He is very resilient,” Nieves beams. “Every step is a milestone, as he has to teach himself to walk again. It hasn’t been easy emotionally, but physically he has been shocking and amazing everyone. His physical therapist makes it their job to challenge him during each visit. He cried when he took his first full steps on his own without the boot – I couldn’t be more proud of him.” 

Johnson is optimistic about his healing process. “As time started going on, everything started to get easier,” he says. “At physical therapy, they push me really hard, and it’s tough. I fully accept all the hard work though because I want to get back. I’m just thinking about recovery. Just thinking about getting better for my team, for myself. I don’t let myself get down about it anymore and I plan on, when I’m healthy, forgetting I was ever injured.” 

Johnson’s immediate goals include playing for his AAU team in the spring and then continuing to play basketball in college. “Gonzaga is my dream school, but I will play anywhere,” he shares. “I just want to keep the game in my life.”

He still has the strong support system that he had after surgery. “It was tough on my mom, but she helped me through everything. She’s starting to feel better now that I can do a lot of stuff on my own, but it’s hard on her, I can tell. She’s strong. She stays strong for me. And the rest of my family, they’re just trying to keep positive and be there for me,” Johnson affirms. “After he was hurt, we talked about how he could deal with it, grind through it, and be better because of it,” Neal says. “With discipline and toughness, that will happen.” Wilson agrees: “He’s going to be a different player, a better player, when he comes back.” 


Myles and his family would like to extend a sincere thank you to:

Dr. Post, the staff at South Bend Memorial and EMTs
Dr. Roberts, Bronson Hospital
Ben and Dan and Bronson Rehabilitation
Coach Neal, coaches and PNMBB team
Niles Basket Ball teams and athletic staff those on hand that helped Myles that night
Coach Darryl and Camp Darryl teammates
Portage Northern High School and the other teams that reached out
All of the friends, loved ones and countless others who have reached out to Myles during this time.  

 

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