Even putting on a pair of socks was a treacherous task for emerging pace ace Joel Paris a year ago.
But fast forward to the current day and Paris is being touted as Australian cricket's newest pace star after earning a dream call-up for the one-day series against India, starting at the WACA on January 12.
Ability has never been a problem for Paris, but staying on the park has been a challenge for the injury-prone 23-year-old.
A torn quadriceps suffered during the final of last summer's One-Day Cup proved to be the most frustrating injury.
So fragile was his quad in the aftermath, he re-tore it while simply picking up a pair of socks.
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But the left-armer has rebuilt his body over the past 12 months, and he's made an instant splash on the Sheffield Shield scene this season.
In two Shield encounters, Paris already has 14 wickets to his name at an average of 16.85.
His one-day form is just as impressive.
Selector Trevor Hohns revealed Paris is already on the fringe of Test selection, but it's in the limited overs format where the West Australian will get his first taste of international cricket.
Paris said his lengthy injury troubles in the past had put doubt in his mind as to whether he'd ever get the chance to reach his full potential.
"Having a couple of injuries over the last couple of years, you sort of have that thought in your mind whether you're good enough to perform at that level," Paris said on Monday.
"I always knew that if I gave myself a good opportunity to get out on the park and stay on there I'd be able to perform pretty well.
"I suppose that (call-up) was just a bit of icing on the cake, just to tell myself that I can compete at that level and do well."
Paris said he was over the moon when told of his call-up to the one-day side.
And he if gets his chance to shine during the three-match series against India, he has set his sights on doing enough to hold his spot.
Paris will be back in action on Tuesday night when the Big Bash ladder-leading Perth Scorchers take on the Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval.
