Lauren MacLochlainn

There I was, finishing my ballet class - doing what I love most! Fresh off a summer intensive, I felt ready and confident for anything. Then, the unexpected happened. In an instant, I was vulnerable, humbled, and in pain: my patella had dislocated, and a ligament was torn.

Thankfully, a family friend who's a doctor recommended I see a specialist for a proper evaluation. Two weeks later, Dr. Strickland was performing ligament surgery on my knee. I'll never forget the moment she looked at my parents and me and said with confidence: "You will dance again - and you'll be even stronger than before."

It was the end of July, and I thought my Nutcracker season was over before it began. But thanks to Dr. Strickland, the surgery was a success! Months of physical therapy, hard work, positivity, and incredible support from friends and family helped me get Back in the Game. I ended 2024 performing three amazing roles in The Nutcracker: Soldier, Candy Cane, and Angel Fairy. These were interactive, demanding roles, yet Dr. Strickland believed I was ready - and she was right.

It was a year and a Christmas I will never forget.