Doctors Said Young Woman Left Paralyzed Would Never Play Sport Again. But They Were Wrong

Every inning, Blackstone Valley Tech high school softball shortstop Isabella (Bella) Picard would etch a cross into the dirt. Every well-executed play the Upton, Massachusetts native made, she credited to God.

An all-star athlete, Picard had the best hitting average in the whole country. She also had her choice of scholarship offers, choosing St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania because they offered her a full ride.

Picard joined the team for the 2014 season as a freshmen starter and had a successful year, where she gained a name for herself with quick feet that were excellent for stealing bases. It would be just that skill that would change her life forever, the following season

On April 18, 2015, St. Joseph’s was set to meet Fordham for a doubleheader. Picard, who had been scouted by the team in high school, was particularly interested in showing the coaches what they had missed out on.

Unfortunately, a different plan was in the works. After getting an early base hit in the first inning of the game, Picard was set to steal second base on the next pitch. Then, tragedy struck.

As Picard slid into second base, attempting to beat the throw, her head collided with the second baseman’s hard and damaged her knee. For a while, she was out cold.

Miraculously, Picard was able to walk off the field and, unaware of the seriousness of her injury, was eager to get back on the field. Despite a pervading weak and numb sensation extending down her entire right side, only reluctantly did she follow her coach’s orders to go the hospital and get checked out.

Had she been strong-willed and denied treatment, and certainly if she had been allowed to go back into the game, Picard would have died on the field that day. When the results came back, doctors told her that she’d broken her neck and that she would never play softball again.

Call it spirit, call it determination, call it rebellion against being told her potential, Picard was never satisfied with this prognosis. Virtually forcing those around her to get on board with her successful recovery, she would get frustrated when people tried to redirect her goal for returning to the field.

Confident and able to see the beauty in every situation, while paralyzed, she mused about getting a another tattoo on her right arm. She has since gotten numerous tattoos of Bible scriptures and inspirational quotes.

If I can inspire athletes, especially little kids, that’s the thing that makes me want to get back on the field for myself and for other people, to see it’s possible,” Picard said. “Doctors tell you you’ll never be able to walk on your own — but you can do it. You can do it. I just want to show people you can do it. Through faith and people and support and love, you can do it.”