Student Athlete Spotlight: Women's Soccer player Lauren Fender
Lauren Fender was a starter on the Women's Soccer team until a car accident this summer took that away. She has become an inspiration to the program and the institution during her recovery.
By Jaclyn Candelet
MCLA Sports Information
What would you do if you spent years dedicating your life to the one sport you love? Upon succeeding, you found yourself on a college roster and then in the blink of an eye everything changes?
Recently, women's soccer player Lauren Fender had a career change. Last year you would find number 19 on the roster and in the line-up on game day. She played in eleven games and started seven of them, but her senior year would be different. A car accident on the morning of June 3rd left Fender hospitalized and in a coma.
The accident brought the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Trailblazers women's soccer program past and present closer than they already were. All players, past and present were affected. Freshman and alumni also had trouble handling the difficult news. One of their own was hurt and in need of support.
When senior teammate Kasie Harrington received the phone call about the accident she packed a bag and was ready to go, but had to play the waiting game. Then, five weeks later when Fender made the move to Spaulding Rehab, she quickly asked to see some of her MCLA friends, Harrington and former teammate Bri Bressett were the first on her list. They jumped in the car and headed to Boston. "When we first saw her it was hard, she couldn't talk," said Harrington. "We had a hard time understanding her, but spent our time listening to music. We even got to go to physical therapy where we kicked a ball around." Harrington would continue to visit her once a week and each time she went she saw improvements.
Current senior Christina Klich visited Fender shortly after she was moved to Spaulding. She explained how awesome it was to see her. "I remember crying and she asked me why I was crying," Klich said. "It was happy tears."
Three weeks after the accident and days after waking from a coma, Raber was asked by the Fender family to visit Lauren. Without hesitation she was on her way to Boston Med. "I was grateful to the family for asking me to visit and spend time with Fendi so soon after her waking up. Every chance I could sneak away I wanted to be in Boston to witness her progress. There are no words to explain it all other than that Fendi is one strong young woman." Raber added, "Fender told me the other day that she would not be where she is today if it weren't for the love and support from her family and friends."
Even if Harrington, Klich, teammates or Raber couldn't visit Fender in the hospital there were ways they found out how her recovery was going. For the first couple of weeks, Fender's grandmother was in daily contact with Raber giving updates on Fender's status that would soon be forward via text to over 50 women in the MCLA soccer family. Shortly after, and through the efforts of family and friends, a Caring Bridge site was set up so daily updates could be sent to the masses. Comments that were left on the website and her Facebook page were all read to Fender, by family who were at her side every day for two months. "I set up notifications on my phone, letting me know when something was posted," said Klich.
Since June everything has changed. "When all of us got back to campus for preseason something was off as soon as we stepped on the field," said Klich. "She has always had such a presence. Having her with us from time to time means so much to all of us." Harrington explained how there are times she might break down during the game, but then looks to the sideline and sees Fender and she can't help but smile.
From the first time that both Harrington and Klich went to visit Fender to the next time they see each other they can't help but notice the improvements their best friend and teammate have made. Both Harrington and Klich spoke with smiles on their faces about how Fender is getting back to herself; she is positive, smiling, talkative, outspoken and doesn't hold anything back. Fender spoke to Raber and said she would not be where she is today if it weren't for the love and support from her family and friends.
For the 2012 season, on occasion you can find Fender dressed in her MCLA uniform sitting on the team bench and offering words of encouragement. This past weekend she was an honorary assistant coach for a game to raise awareness for Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions. To support the cause, fans all wore green ribbons and made donations to a 50/50 that raised almost $200 for Spaulding Rehab.
Lauren Fender a strong young women, who works hard every day back home in Plymouth, Massachusetts with her mom is focusing on a return to MCLA in January and the soccer field come next August.
For anyone interested in donating to the Fender Trust Fund, donations are being accepted at the address below. Interested parties can also contact Coach Raber at deborah.raber@mcla.edu for further information.
Lauren Fender Trust Fund
C/O Raber Financial
PO Box 6398
Kingsport, TN 37663