This is an article about my situation and why I don't like excuses. An extreme version of no excuses is watching a one-armed man lift atlas stones. So.....compared to that, my story is nothing, but I wanted to tell it anyway.
There are memes all around about, "When someone brings up squats, everyone has a story about how they hurt their knee."
I have dislocated my right knee 4 times and had complete reconstructive knee surgery. I dislocated my left knee twice, and had no medical attention for this. I still squat and I am increasing strength on a regular basis. This is the best therapy I have found for my knees. The stronger the muscles around the knee become, the better I feel and less discomfort I have.
Then, I ruptured 2 discs in my lower back. I had extreme pain for 6 months before I had a double discectomy. The doctor told me I would never lift more than 25 lbs again. This was the motivation I needed to prove him wrong.
Now, it took a year or more for me to be able to ramp up fully, but it happened. Every time I deadlift I think about how it weighs more than 25 lbs. All of my children weigh more than 25 lbs and I think about the words "YOU CAN'T" until it rings in my ears.
I work low back and legs until I want to vomit and/or pass-out regularly. I love that feeling of proving people wrong. Especially when I know I can do it.
I am training for strength sports; if I compete or not is still to be determined, but lifting heavy and being strong is my passion and addiction. I wish I could see the look on their face because I sure get to hear people around me say "should you be lifting that, you had back surgery." It just makes me want to use more weight or do another set.
I hope this at least lets you know that people always have things happen to them, its what you do about it that matters the most.