16-year-old Alyson was living her dream of competing in horse shows with her beloved horse, Epsilon. That all changed in May 2024, when one routine jump ended in a painful fall. Alyson landed hard on her right leg, and in an instant, she knew something was wrong.
“Immediately I was in a lot of pain,” Alyson recalls. “The EMT helped me out of the ring, but I couldn’t walk any further. My mom took me to the closest hospital where they told me I fractured my leg and may need surgery. I was so disappointed and discouraged because I was not going to be able to ride or compete for a long time.” For Alyson, an injury that would require surgery and months away from riding was a devastating blow.
Referred by her initial doctor, Alyson’s journey led her to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, and into the care of Dr. John Lovejoy and the orthopedics team. “Before I met Dr. Lovejoy and his team at Nemours, I was unsure of what my next steps would be,” Alyson says. “I was so scared that I was going to have problems with my knee and not be able to ride and compete like I used to.” But the team at Nemours Children’s alleviated those fears. They suggested a surgery involving placing internal screws to repair the tibial plateau, stabilizing her knee and giving her the best chance at a full recovery. Alyson’s surgery was scheduled the same day she met Dr. Lovejoy. This quick action helped set her on the path to healing sooner than expected.
“My experience with Nemours has been wonderful,” Alyson shares. “Everyone I have encountered has been so nice and helpful. Dr. Lovejoy goes above and beyond to get to know you as a patient. Before my surgery, he spent a lot of time with me explaining the surgery, what to expect before, during, and after, and answering all of mine and my mom’s questions. Every time I see him, he asks about my horses and makes me feel like he truly cares.”
The compassion and dedication of the Nemours team has left a lasting impression on Alyson. “All the nurses and staff have been so nice and encouraging,” she shares. “It really made a big difference to have people who genuinely care about you.”
Now, just three months post-surgery, Alyson is back to doing what she loves most—riding her horses. Her recovery has been faster than she ever imagined. “I’m so happy with how my knee is feeling,” says Alyson. “I’m back in the saddle, and I’m confident this injury won’t affect me for the rest of my life, thanks to Nemours.”
As she continues to heal, Alyson’s outlook is bright. She’s focused on strengthening her leg and getting back to competition, with hopes of reaching new goals in the future. “I have a few more appointments with Dr. Lovejoy just to make sure everything is healing well,” she says. “But I feel great about where I’m at.”
For other young athletes facing a similar injury, Alyson offers this advice, “Try to maintain a good mindset. Do small things every day that get you closer to your goal. I was able to get back to what I loved faster than expected, and I’m so grateful to Dr. Lovejoy and the Nemours team for getting me back on my feet, and back in the saddle.”
Through it all, Alyson’s never lost sight of her passion for horses—and with Nemours by her side, she’s ready to ride into the next chapter stronger than ever.
