Sidelined Usa

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: IN 2022, SIDELINED USA PROVIDED 143 SIDELINED ATHLETE CARE PACKAGES AND PERFORMED OVER 2400 ATHLETE-SUPPORT "CARE CONTACTS" IN SUPPORT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES WORKING THROUGH A MEDICAL DISQUALIFICATION FROM SPORT. I. SIDELINED USA'S SIGNATURE ATHLETE SUPPORT PROGRAM INCLUDES RESOURCES, CONNECTIONS, AND NEW PURSUITS (A.) RESOURCES: WE PROVIDE SPECIALIZED SUPPORT RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ONLINE, AT NO COST, FOR ALL PERMANENTLY-SIDELINED ATHLETES AND THEIR FAMILIES NATIONWIDE. RESOURCES INCLUDE ARTICLES, INTERVIEWS, PODCASTS, AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TOOLS THAT AID MEDICALLY DISQUALIFIED ATHLETES IN HEALTHY TRANSITIONS FOLLOWING MEDICALLY-FORCED EXIT FROM SPORT, PROVIDING GUIDANCE FOR COPING STRATEGIES AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CONSIDERATIONS. IN 2022 THESE RESOURCES WERE ACCESSED 13,700 TIMES. (B.) CONNECTION: THROUGH OUR SIDELINED STORIES PODCAST, "DEAR SIDELINED SELF" PROJECT, CONNECTION GROUP AND MY SIDELINED STORY PROJECT, SIDELINED USA PROVIDES SOCIAL SUPPORT BY CONNECTING SIDELINED ATHLETES TO OTHERS WHO HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED MEDICALLY-FORCED EXIT FROM SPORT. THROUGH CONNECTING OVER THEIR SHARED EXPERIENCE, SIDELINED ATHLETES EXPERIENCE CAMARADERIE, LEARN FROM OTHER "MENTOR" SIDELINED ATHLETES WHO HAVE WALKED IN THEIR SHOES, AND BEGIN TO ENVISION A POSITIVE FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES. (C.) NEW PURSUITS: THROUGH OUR NEXT CHAPTER PODCAST, SIDELINED USA SUPPORTS STUDENT-ATHLETES IN FINDING NEW PASSIONS OR CHALLENGES THAT INSPIRE THEM TO RE-ENGAGE WITH THE SPORTS WORLD THROUGH ALTERNATE AVENUES. II. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION - SIDELINED USA ENGAGES IN ORIGINAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INITIATIVES IN ORDER TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR IMPROVED AFTER-CARE OF MEDICALLY DISQUALIFIED ATHLETES ON A NATIONAL SCALE. (A.) RESEARCH: RECOGNIZING A SIGNIFICANT LACK OF DATA RELATED TO MEDICAL DISQUALIFICATION IN THE U.S. AND THE LIMITED RESEARCH ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF MEDICAL DISQUALIFICATION FROM SPORT AND CURRENT LEVELS OF SATISFACTION OF AFTER-CARE SUPPORT, THE SIDELINED USA RESEARCH TEAM IS EXECUTED AN IRB APPROVED RESEARCH STUDY TO BETTER INFORM THE SPORTS MEDICINE COMMUNITY ABOUT BEST PRACTICES FOR THE AFTER-CARE OF MEDICALLY DISQUALIFIED ATHLETES. THE STUDY IS CURRENTLY BEING SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION. (B.) EDUCATION: OUR TEAM PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL TRAININGS FOR ATHLETIC TRAINERS, COACHES, AND PARENTS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE RESEARCH-BASED GUIDANCE ON BEST PRACTICES FOR SUPPORTING PERMANENTLY-SIDELINED ATHLETES IN THEIR TRANSITIONS FORWARD. IN 2022, SIDELINED USA TRAINED OVER 1,100 ATHLETIC TRAINERS, COACHES, AND SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIANS. III. CAMPUS LIAISON PROGRAM: THROUGH OUR NEW CAMPUS LIAISON PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, SIDELINED USA HAS PARTNERED WITH INDIVIDUALS IN 82 SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL SUPPORT TO STUDENT-ATHLETES EXPERIENCING MEDICALLY-FORCED EXIT FROM SPORT.