 "The Remarkable Journey of Katja Grossmann: From Alpine Skiing Prodigy to Hospital Hero")
In Switzerland, she was considered a great talent in alpine skiing, especially in speed disciplines. At the junior championship, she achieved her first big success and left behind a significant part of the competition. But while her peers gradually conquer the World Cup and celebrate valuable podiums, she knows the spotlight only from the hospital.
Katja Grossmann had a great career ahead of her, which was predicted for her. She dominated domestic championships and races several times and confirmed her progress by winning silver in the downhill at the junior world championship.
Six hundredths of a second separated her from gold and the title of world champion. The talented skier left behind names already known from the races such as Kira Weidleová, Nina Ortliebová, Kajsa Vickhoff Lieová, Franziska Gritschová or sisters Nicol and Nadia Delagová.
Unlike her opponents at the time, she has not yet tasted the taste of victory and has never once stood on the podium, either in the World Cup, the World Championships or the Olympic Games. Her life took a completely new direction after a series of difficult injuries, and instead of various competitive slopes, she only recognized diagnoses. Tibia and fibula fractures, knee, arm and back injuries accompanied by nervousness and therapies.
But it was in the hospital environment that she found her peace and mission. She no longer spends time there as a patient, but as a nurse. The beginnings of the practice were not easy, in addition to gaining common experience, she stood by the patients until their last breath. “It was the patient’s wish, the relatives were not there. It was clear to me that I would not leave her alone when I left,” mentions the skier for Blick. Contact with death did not deter her from her mission. “It’s incredibly sad, but also beautiful.”
Although she found herself in a new job, where injuries and falls brought her, she is not ready to give up her dream of skiing. “Now I am here voluntarily. My goal is to still race and sometimes win. At the same time, I realized that I also needed another role. Something that fills me up, but also distracts me. I found that right here. My future is written in the stars. But one way or another, I have to improve. I do not give up.”
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2023-10-16 12:10:00
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