Every derby girl dreads the prognosis of “You need to have surgery.” Many of us contemplate what we would do if we received this news. Most say they would return to the sport as soon as possible, but I wonder how many actually do. So when fans of Teflon Donna heard that she was going to have surgery after Champs in 2011, many of us were fearful of our hero’s non-return.
Tef, however, does not let something as small as surgery keep her down. As soon as she was able, she returned to skates; teaching the tots and skating with the Liberty Belles.
Teflon Donna has a reputation of being one of the hardest workers in roller derby. She is known among her team mates as being the rock that everyone else looks to as an example. You think, “Endurance is so hard and I want to quit.” Then you look… Tef isn’t quitting. You think, “That hit was really hard and I want to stay down.” And you realize Tef wouldn’t stay down.
Tef came back from a surgery that would have made weaker skaters retire. Instead, she took it as just the next challenge in her career. Watching her at the tournaments, learning from her at the Team USA boot camp, she is a role model and absolute force to be reckoned with.
Tef is amazingly generous; as head of the fresh meat training she puts in a huge investment of time into developing our new skaters. She is such an athlete - if you had to pick someone who is Olympic quality in our midst, it would be Tef. She never would ask anything of anyone that she wouldn’t do herself. She is incredibly tough and blunt. She went through a lot of personal struggle to push the belles. – The Cycrone, Philly Roller Girls
“Teflon has this amazing ability to take in everything that’s happening on the track (and off the track) while blocking or jamming with incredible skill. The East Region Playoffs 2009 Championship game might be one of my favorite all-time Teflon moments.” – Xena Paradox, Charm City Roller Girls
Thank you to photogs Dave Wood Photography and Tyler Shaw Derby Photography for the awesome shots!
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