Rachel Mandaro

I tore my left ACL and meniscus during a basketball game in April of my junior year AAU season. My family was familiar with Dr. Fabricant because my 11-year-old brother tore his ACL and meniscus in a football game six months prior and Dr. Fabricant did a wonderful job with his surgery. I had surgery approximately a month later and began rehab and therapy right away. I took a slow and steady approach to coming back stronger than I was before the injury. By November that same year I started basketball training, standing still to shoot to start and then adding moves as I progressed with therapy. I returned to basketball with my AAU team in August 2020 and committed to college in November for engineering and will be playing women's basketball. Our school basketball season was short, but returning to the court with my friends and teammates was something I was looking forward to. We won the Suffolk League One Championship in February 2021 and my high school career ended on a high note, with my being interviewed for the local newspaper. Dr. Fabricant and his wonderful staff made a very difficult injury bearable and I am forever grateful.