Dear Parent/Guardian/Coach/Official,
Concussions are a major topic in the
sports world today at all age groups. They are serious equal
opportunity injuries that effect both boys and girls in every sport
(including non-contact sports.) For the few people in the world that
still thinks that concussions are not serious or that they will not
happen to you (or your child) please give me a few minutes of your
time.
sports world today at all age groups. They are serious equal
opportunity injuries that effect both boys and girls in every sport
(including non-contact sports.) For the few people in the world that
still thinks that concussions are not serious or that they will not
happen to you (or your child) please give me a few minutes of your
time.
I am not a doctor nor claim to have any
educational expertise on this subject. I do have plenty of
experiences with concussions and feel that I can have some opinion on
that matter. I played contact sports from age 5-the end of college at
age 20. I participated in any sport I could try including taekwondo,
volleyball, softball, track, tennis, and basketball. My favorite
above the rest would be soccer. Still to this day I live and breathe
for the sport.
educational expertise on this subject. I do have plenty of
experiences with concussions and feel that I can have some opinion on
that matter. I played contact sports from age 5-the end of college at
age 20. I participated in any sport I could try including taekwondo,
volleyball, softball, track, tennis, and basketball. My favorite
above the rest would be soccer. Still to this day I live and breathe
for the sport.
I have had at least six documented
concussions on record. I say “at least”, because there is a difference of opinion in my home. My mother would say seven. Most of my
concussions have come while playing soccer. (Yes, I still love it.)
concussions on record. I say “at least”, because there is a difference of opinion in my home. My mother would say seven. Most of my
concussions have come while playing soccer. (Yes, I still love it.)
Concussion awareness was just beginning
when I was in college, so before that it was almost unheard of. In
fact, my first concussion is a point of laughter with certain
friends. I was around 12-13 years old and I got elbowed in head. I
got confused and when the halftime whistle blew I lined up to shake
hands…typically only done at the END of the game. (okay, that is
sort of funny….)
when I was in college, so before that it was almost unheard of. In
fact, my first concussion is a point of laughter with certain
friends. I was around 12-13 years old and I got elbowed in head. I
got confused and when the halftime whistle blew I lined up to shake
hands…typically only done at the END of the game. (okay, that is
sort of funny….)
My next few concussions were not as
humorous. I would usually get temporary memory loss, have ringing in
my ears, and always have significant nausea. During the recovery from
my fourth concussion, I was extremely sensitive to light and sound
making it difficult to attend class or even leave my dorm room. The
symptoms only increased for the following injury.
humorous. I would usually get temporary memory loss, have ringing in
my ears, and always have significant nausea. During the recovery from
my fourth concussion, I was extremely sensitive to light and sound
making it difficult to attend class or even leave my dorm room. The
symptoms only increased for the following injury.
My parents and I were never ever told
that I should stop playing. (Remember, this topic was only beginning
at the tail end of my college days.) This was not even a possibility
mentioned by anyone at that time.
that I should stop playing. (Remember, this topic was only beginning
at the tail end of my college days.) This was not even a possibility
mentioned by anyone at that time.
I will not play the “what
if” game. Ultimately, it was my decision to keep playing. With that
being said, I wish to urge you as a parent/guardian/coach/official of
a child athlete to be serious about concussion prevention, management, and treatment. Brain injuries are serious matters that
can alter your life forever. I can say that, because my decision to
keep playing has changed my life.
It has been 5 years since my last official “major” concussion. I have had so many injuries that I
now have lesions on my brain. Last January, I was in a car accident
and did not even hit my head, but still had the symptoms of mild
concussion. I have trouble concentrating on reading anything for a
long time. I also have frequent headaches and ringing in my ears. I
also have significant issues with hormone changes in my body. (One of
the lesion sits on my pituitary gland. If you have questions about
this I would be happy to answer privately.) I also have slight
sensitivities to bright lights more than I used to. I have hearing
loss in both ears that could be due to the head injuries. I also had
disturbances to my sleep pattern for several years following my last
major injury.
now have lesions on my brain. Last January, I was in a car accident
and did not even hit my head, but still had the symptoms of mild
concussion. I have trouble concentrating on reading anything for a
long time. I also have frequent headaches and ringing in my ears. I
also have significant issues with hormone changes in my body. (One of
the lesion sits on my pituitary gland. If you have questions about
this I would be happy to answer privately.) I also have slight
sensitivities to bright lights more than I used to. I have hearing
loss in both ears that could be due to the head injuries. I also had
disturbances to my sleep pattern for several years following my last
major injury.
I could go more in depth, but I think
you get the picture. I could also throw numbers and statistics at
you, but unless you have lived under a rock the last 5 years you have
heard them all.
you get the picture. I could also throw numbers and statistics at
you, but unless you have lived under a rock the last 5 years you have
heard them all.
All of this is to urge you to please
take caution with your children. If the have ANY of the symptoms of a
concussion, they should not play. It also should not be up to the
child whether they play or not. If they have symptoms, be the adult
and protect them. The child/youth may be upset for missing a few
games, but in the grand scheme of things that could save them trouble
later in life.
take caution with your children. If the have ANY of the symptoms of a
concussion, they should not play. It also should not be up to the
child whether they play or not. If they have symptoms, be the adult
and protect them. The child/youth may be upset for missing a few
games, but in the grand scheme of things that could save them trouble
later in life.
If in your sport you have the optional
helmet or face guard, always have your child wear it. In soccer even,
there are head guards that could protect against flying elbows and
incorrect headers.
helmet or face guard, always have your child wear it. In soccer even,
there are head guards that could protect against flying elbows and
incorrect headers.
I am not advocating the demise of youth
sports. I seriously enjoy sports at every level and if I am blessed
with children one day they will probably play. I am advocating the
protection of your children. Their futures as doctors, lawyers,
teachers, roofers, or mail carriers is MUCH more important then
missing one U14 soccer tournament.
sports. I seriously enjoy sports at every level and if I am blessed
with children one day they will probably play. I am advocating the
protection of your children. Their futures as doctors, lawyers,
teachers, roofers, or mail carriers is MUCH more important then
missing one U14 soccer tournament.
Kourtney Campbell