Returning To A Sport

RETURNING TO A SPORT after a catastrophic injury is never easy. But Dennis “D-Rom” Derammelaere came back to the 1999 X Games Street Luge competition and won one of the closest races of all time.

D-Rom had missed the previous year’s event after an accident during practice shattered his lower leg and ankle. Competing with six screws in his ankle and a titanium plate in his leg, Derammelaere reached the dual competition finals against street luge legend Lee Dansie. With nearly 10,000 fans lining San Francisco’s Seal Rock Run, D-Rom and Dansie put on a show.

Neither athlete gained an edge out of the gate as the two competitors traveled side by side almost the entire course. Coming to the historic Cliff House Turn, Dansie went for the pass. But with little room between Derammelaere and the hay bales, the two sleds collided and locked together. With an accident imminent, Dansie pushed the sleds apart. The finalists screamed through the final turns and went toe-to-toe past the finish line.

The photo finish showed Dansie had edged out D-Rom by a fraction. However, the judges ruled that Dansie caused unnecessary contact, and they gave the victory to hometown favorite Derammelaere.

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POINT Dennis Derammelaere endured surgery, hours of rehabilitation, and days of physical therapy to return to street luge. And after his hard-fought victory, D-Rom said it was the best moment of his life.

During the course of our existence, we’re bound to suffer through our share of injuries. All of them won’t be as bad as Derammelaere’s crushed ankle, but chances are we’ll go through our share of physical pain. God’s prophet Jeremiah went through a lot for his Lord, but he stayed confident of God’s healing and saving power. And since Jesus Christ has come to earth, now he can save you forever and ever.

GOAL! Check your family’s medicine cabinet for bandages and other medical supplies. Those are great to have, but they can’t compare to the heavenly Father’s healing power. When Jesus saves you from your sins, you’re saved forever. The Lord’s ability to heal physical and emotional injuries is unmatched.