All it took was one wrong move.

     When Taylor Oestreich’s knee buckled during a stunt at early morning cheerleading practice on Oct. 16, the junior’s season was over almost before it had begun.  Competitive cheer would also have to wait for one more year since it quickly became evident that her ankle was broken.

     “During the process of things I was really stressed, not because of my ankle being broken,” Oestrich said. “But because I knew my stunt group had to go all day with getting blamed for something they didn’t do. Worst of all, I didn’t know if any of them were hurt.”

     Oestreich was sent to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center to assess the severity of the injury and receive treatment.

     “When I got to the hospital, the procedures that were performed included getting x-rays on my ankle,” Oestreich said. “The doctors constantly checking my pulse that was in my foot, and then them giving me a shot in my joint so they could reset my foot into the right place.”

     The doctors found breaks in multiple bones in her foot and ankle. Oestreich underwent surgery shortly after doctors concluded their preliminary evaluation.

     “The doctors described my injury as a Tib. Fib. which is a Tibia and Fibula break,” Oestreich said. “The surgery was meant to repair these bones.”

     Oestreich said that despite the setback, she is optimistic for her future in sports and hopes to see improvement by cheer tryouts this spring.

     “I feel excited about my recovery,” Oestreich said. “I can’t wait to get one step closer to doing the things that I love. I think I have gained strength from this experience because in a time like this you can’t sit around and feel sorry for yourself. You have to get up and start getting ready to get back to your old self.”

     Oestreich’s family claim they are working to keep a positive atmosphere during her recovery.

     “[Taylor has learned that] no matter when and how life knocks you down you have to get back up and move on,” mother Beth Oestreich said. “She has been very strong.”

     Oestreich said what has kept her optimistic about the eventual outcome is the outreach from students and others who have heard of the situation.

      “I have gotten support from all over the school and even the community since my injury,” Oestreich said. “It honestly shocks me because now I realize that Lampasas is just like a huge family and everybody will support you.”