Being connected with Sidelined USA was truly a blessing. My medical retirement came rather abruptly. I felt lost and didn’t know where or who to turn to. Sidelined USA reached out to me after I announced my retirement from gymnastics, and they’ve been there for me in so many ways since then. To me and many other athletes that I’ve been connected with through Sidelined USA, losing your sport feels truly earth-shattering. I was a high-level, competitive gymnast for 18 years, so when I was medically forced to retire, I felt a sense of loss and loneliness I had never experienced before. When I received a care package from Sidelined USA I felt cared for and welcomed into a community. Each care package costs $55 and my goal is to raise funds for over 50 athlete care packages.