--- title: August Athlete of the Month - Curtis Tatum description: "After tearing his ACL and meniscus, Curtis Tatum was told he’d never play basketball again.\n\n The problem is Curtis loves playing basketball. \n\n“Curtis is basketball,” Jeralin, Curtis’ girlfriend, says. “He never stopped picking up that ball.”" --- [Skip to main content](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/august-athlete-of-the-month-curtis-tatum#main) [![Logos (1)-1](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1)-1.png?width=110&height=110&name=Logos%20(1)-1.png) ![Logos (1)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1).png?width=250&height=250&name=Logos%20(1).png) ![Logos (1)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1).png?width=250&height=250&name=Logos%20(1).png) ![Logos (1)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1).png?width=100&height=100&name=Logos%20(1).png)](https://www.teamnaturalwellness.com/) - [Home](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [About Us](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us) - [Show submenu for Free Resources Free Resources](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/free-resources) - [Testimonials](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/resources/testimonials) - [Show submenu for Services Services](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services) - [Manual Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/traditional-manual-therapies) - [Dry Needling](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/functional-dry-needling) - [IASTM](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/iastm-graston) - [Myofascial Cupping](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/myofascial-cupping) - [Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy) - [Nutrition](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/nutrition) - [Pickleball](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/pickleball) - [Small Group Training](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/small-group-training) - [Affiliate Program](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/affiliate-program) - [Blog](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog) - [Events](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/events-workshops) - [Contact](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [About Us](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us) - Show submenu for Free Resources Free Resources - Free Resources - [Free Resources](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/free-resources) - [Testimonials](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/resources/testimonials) - Show submenu for Services Services - Services - [Services](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services) - [Manual Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/traditional-manual-therapies) - [Dry Needling](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/functional-dry-needling) - [IASTM](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/iastm-graston) - [Myofascial Cupping](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/myofascial-cupping) - [Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy) - [Nutrition](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/nutrition) - [Pickleball](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/pickleball) - [Small Group Training](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/small-group-training) - [Affiliate Program](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/affiliate-program) - [Blog](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog) - [Events](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/events-workshops) - [Contact](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/contact) - [Book an appointment NOW](https://intakeq.com/booking/wnvzjm) [Book an appointment NOW](https://intakeq.com/booking/wnvzjm) Blog Categories ### August Athlete of the Month - Curtis Tatum After tearing his ACL and meniscus, Curtis Tatum was told he’d never play basketball again.  The problem is Curtis loves playing basketball.  “Curtis is basketball,” Jeralin, Curtis’ girlfriend, says. “He never stopped picking up that ball.”   The problem is Curtis loves playing basketball.  “Curtis is basketball,” Jeralin, Curtis’ girlfriend, says. “He never stopped picking up that ball.”   After sustaining these injuries on the court, Curtis wasn’t able to play ball, let alone bend or straighten his leg.  “I watched him go from completely non-weight bearing, through surgery and through PT,” she says. “And I’ve watched him over these past few months gain range of motion, and balance, reaching for higher jumps.”  Jeralin has noticed something even more important than these physical improvements: “The confidence in his own physical ability and trust in his body to push himself in a healthy way to obtain his athleticism.”  Curtis is striving to improve month after month, working toward his next best. And that next best for him is to dunk again.  “I know the recovery process was a struggle,” Jeralin says. “I can't imagine anyone being as dedicated and just keeping that positive attitude through it all. I'll admit, I know I would've behaved differently on some days. But not Curtis. He's better.” Curtis has advice for others who have sustained injuries and been told “you can’t” and “you won’t.”  “Don't give up,” he says. “Keep pushing yourself to new accomplishments. It will get better if you put in the work. Stay positive.” ###### Tags: ![Team Natural Wellness](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1)-2.png?width=50&height=50&name=Logos%20(1)-2.png) Post by [Team Natural Wellness](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/author/team-natural-wellness) Aug 11, 2020 3:15:00 PM ### Comments [![Team Natural Wellness](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/**NWPT.png?width=83&height=90&name=**NWPT.png)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [Home](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [About Us](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us) - [Free Resources](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/free-resources) - [Services](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services) - [Blog](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog) - [Events](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/events-workshops) - [Contact](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/contact) **Natural Wellness Physiotherapy ** (316) 290-9158 309 S. 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