For those of us who watch sports, we only see what happens during the games. Every once in awhile we will be fortunate enough to get a behind the scenes look into a dressing room or a team gym. But rarely do we get to see what happens after a player suffers a serious injury, in this case, a concussion. For a long time in hockey, people didn't miss games because of concussions, they missed games with what were called "upper body injuries". Now, steps have been taken to raise awareness of concussions, but this hasn't helped us to see what happens after a player suffers a serious injury.
Brad McConnell might not be a household name, but concussions have had a major effect on him. McConnell, a forward for the University of Dalhousie, has not stepped on the ice in four months after suffering a concussion during an exhibition game. He has been warned not to do any physical activity, even walking to much could be harmful. As athletes, we all know that sitting back and watching our team play, or not being able to workout with our friends is a serious blow to our self esteem. But this lack of physical activity is not the worst thing that has happened to McConnell. Life at school is what has been given McConnell the most problems. Simple things like reading and using a computer would heighten his symptoms.
For a student in post secondary school, missing class isn't a viable option. Trying to catch up after missing a few classes is a mountainous task. The fact that McConnell is on a full ride scholarship doesn't make things any easier for him.
Having been through all of this before, I know how McConnell is feeling. I had no problem pulling off high 80's and low 90's in high school, but after a few concussions, 70's became a thing to look forward to. Simple things like the lights being to bright in a classroom could cause headaches, and the embarrassment of not being able to control your sweat glands is enough to drive any teenager insane. But none of these things compare to the feeling of simply not being yourself. I spent months just going through the motions with regards to school and just life in general. It was like having an out of body experience for a full year.
Individuals who suffer concussions often feel isolated because of invisible symptoms. There are no scars or broken bones on display when someone has a concussion. For student athletes, this isolation can be even worse. Often times, an athletes main peer group is the team he/she plays for. When they are taken away from that team, the individual can often feel lost.
In a study conducted at Dalhousie by Dr. Kevin Gordan, he estimated that there are 110 concussions for every 100,000 Canadians. For student athletes, the stress of missing out on their sports, their friends, and their grades can take away from the one thing that can help a concussion, rest. It is important to recognise the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and to encourage student athletes to rest as much as possible, so they will be able to continue doing what they love. If you are a member of a team where an athlete suffers a concussion, it is important to try and make that person feel like he/she is still on the team. Many people misjudge the effects that concussions can have, and hopefully this changes in the near future.
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