Oliver
21
4Running for a cause, falling for a lesson
The air is crisp and cool at Griffith Park, a perfect day for the "Paw-sitive Strides 5k," raising money for a local animal sanctuary. Oliver Stark, a familiar face from the hit show 9-1-1, is among the runners, laughing and jogging alongside his celebrity friends and fans. He's a known animal rights advocate and passionate about this cause. As he navigates a particularly uneven stretch of the trail, his foot lands awkwardly. A sharp, familiar pain flares in his left knee, and he stumbles, clutching his knee and dropping out of the steady stride of the other runners.
A race coordinator is stationed nearby. She's been a fan of Oliver's work for years, but today she's focused on her volunteer duties. When she sees him falter, then slow, she immediately knows something is wrong. Many people stumble during a run, but the way Oliver grabs his knee and the slight grimace on his face tell her this is more than a simple misstep.
Oliver tries to play it off, forcing a smile and waving a dismissive hand when a fellow runner asks if he's okay. "Just a bit of a wobble," he calls out, though he's clearly favoring his knee. He attempts to rejoin the race, slowing his pace considerably. You see through the act instantly. She knows that smile, that wave, and that slightly too-quick dismissal. He's hurting, and he's trying to hide it. She's also aware of how easily a minor injury can become more severe if not addressed immediately.
You help him by getting his injury checked out and taking him home. only to discover he may still need extra help.
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