(Photo by Chris Wraight)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 3.8 million concussions occur each year during sports and recreation activities. Athletes who have had a concussion are at increased risk for another. Through an upcoming presentation, the Northborough/Southborough Special Education Parents Advisory Council (NSPAC) wants to help parents learn the warning signs of concussions and what to do about it.
Here are the details.
Sports Concussion: Current Concepts in the Recognition and Treatment of Concussion for Adolescents
Presented by Michael O’Brien, M.D., Division of Sports Medicine at Children’s Hospital Boston, with a follow-up by Francis Whitten III, Athletic Director Athletic Department at Algonquin Regional High School. Sponsored by Northborough/Southborough Special Education Parents Advisory Council (NSPAC).
When: Wednesday, October 5 from 6:45 – 9:00 pm
Where: Algonquin Regional High School (79 Bartlett Street, Northborough), Room B124
Cost: FreeThe event is open to all. RSVP recommended at nspac1@gmail.com. Visit the NSPAC website (www.nspac.org) for more information.
This matters. It may seem to be just a concern of helicopter parents who can’t stand to watch their sons knock heads. But it’s not.
When I covered football for the Villager in the mid-90s, I saw an Algonquin player get his bell rung returning a punt. He staggered off the field, reeling, not really cogent, and the coaches and the trainer allowed him to lie down on the bench. Alone.
Some background: I had seen a few concussions – had even accidentally inflicted one. I knew this player was in danger. I knew he needed immediate medical attention. But I was a stringer on the sidelines, so I hovered and did nothing.
The coach was a good guy. The injured player was one of his favorites, a hard-nosed kid who made an impact way above his playing weight. But the coach was old school and didn’t see the danger.
In a few minutes, maybe 15 but it seemed longer to me, the trainer finally wised up and got the standby EMTs over, and they got the player off to the hospital. Even though it worked out okay, I regret not abandoning my role as reporter in favor of my role as human being and demanding timely care for this kid.
It should be a job requirement for everyone involved in youth sports to attend this session or its equivalent.
Kelly, this is a really admirable thing you’ve written here. Many lessons in a small space.