Concussions

So we have seen a lot of news and talking heads (pun intended) expounding upon the dangers, fears, results, health hazards, anything and everything about head injuries/concussions. Multimillionaires (read:athletes) working for gazillionaire corporations (read: NFL and teams) can't get the proper protection and prevention of severe head trauma and its consequences. We can build bombs that can be sent from Geno's Steaks on 9th Street, cross the Atlantic, cross Europe, and find a target within a remote village in a town that I can't pronounce; yet we can not ensure the health and safety of our athletes.

The idiocy I see in all of this is the fact that head trauma is not a problem for vicious hits that get you 15 yards, a fine, and a highlight reel. Imagine, if you would; your body jarred violently and your brain smacking your skull. With all the delicacy and danger that entails; imagine your brain trying to realign itself. That is the immediate results of a concussion and its effects.

Now imagine opening your eyes any amount of time later. Aside from a possible headache that NO bottle of tequila could create; you feel sick, can't keep your balance, scared for how much time you missed and how much of your faculties you may have lost. That takes about five minutes after you wake up (and does not go away).

Soon enough, you find yourself in agonizing pain to be in any amount of direct sun or other light. You may find yourself losing consciousness at a moment's notice; without warning. Then the embarrassment and fear of am I going to be somewhere, pass out, and not be safe? Or worse, am I going to do something I completely do not remember?

These are the things that anyone who has a head injury will tell you are the consequences of that injury. Now one can say that are athletes get paid the big bucks to take these risks. Last I checked, an athlete is a human being; with a family, people to support and provide for, and their own well being to be mindful of.

The dangers of head injuries are not just something to pass the time of day glancing at while a doctor diagrams what happens on the tv. I should know; I've been there. And contrary to what my wife would tell you; I am not speaking of being dropped on my head at birth.

In 1991,there was a horrific automobile accident that I was involved in. Another person unfortunately lost their life. I was a front passenger whose head went through the windshield, bounced, and whose body was thrown back in the car seat. The only reasons I am alive are the seat belt and the fact I worked out and had enough muscle to prevent my spine/neck from snapping. Mostly, the grace of God kept me alive.

Scary stuff, no doubt. My friends and family can tell you about the glass coming out of my skin for months, the scars you can still see if you look at my face in the right light, and the fact that for months I would pass out without warning. This was 18; my senior year in high school. It took almost two years before the most painful headaches and attacks would subside. To this day, I personally do not recall how it happened or what happened in the melee of ambulances, police, witnesses, etc.. My earliest memory of that day is waking up to my mom and dad while lying in a hospital bed.

So when I see that we are taking a careful look at head injuries and honestly worrying about someone's ability to function and live beyond production on a field of competition; I do nothing but applaud those efforts. Losing consciousness is a scary thing to go through. Having your head suffer a severe blow has repercussions that if not carefully addressed; can follow you for a long time. Personally, I think whatever we do to help people prevent and recover from any head trauma, should be commended. I welcome any of your thoughts.