Concussions - what all parents, players and coaches should know

I'm not a medical person, just a proud parent of some outstanding athletics, one of which is a member of his Buccaneer organization. Ryan suffered a grade 2 concussion at practice on October 6th. No one on the ice was aware of it or that he was injured.... and until yesterday, listening to Ryan describe what happen to staff at Elite Sports Medicine in Connecticut and hearing him say things like "ya, I was dazed, but just kept right on with the drill, that's what we do" did the seriousness of playing injured hit me. In his case, the symptoms did not really start to manifest until 30 minutes or so after the hit that dazed him, and eventually put him in the hospital for a week. Even more important are the moments when Ryan seems like he is "feeling better" or "acting like the old Ryan". It really is not time for him to be doing anything, let along playing hockey. As one person at Elite said, we can cast a broken bone, we can't cast the brian. The scary part is second impact syndrome - something I had never heard of - getting a second concussion on top of one that is still in the healing process....

Playing on after a hit that makes you see stars can be worse than the original injury. Returning to play at any time when you are still feeling the effects of any hit.... ANY symptom at all... slight head aches, dazed feelings, still seeing the stars, nausea, light headed, not feeling yourself 100% and the list goes on are all times to stay seated. Second impact syndrome can change a players life forever, or take it away.

To the players: only you know if you have the symptoms, don't cheat yourself and don't cut yourself short and try to play through it because you are a tough guy (or gal) or other players are calling you a wimp. Afterall, IT IS a game, quality of life is not a game. You might miss a few games, you might miss the rest of the season.... your health is more important than anything. From a New York Daily News story about Ryne Dougherty: "Varsity coach Ed Lebida told the Daily News on Wednesday that Dougherty, who had suffered a concussion in practice Sept. 18, had been "cleared medically" to resume playing, although classmates indicated the player had told friends he was "obsessed with football" and had insisted on playing Monday despite experiencing blurred vision and headaches". Ryne died October 15th because he came back too soon.

I urge you to read this articles:
Lacrosse Injuries: "Second-Impact Syndrome" Concussions Can Lead to Coma or Death
New Post-Concussion Management Recommendations
Repeat concussions can lead to coma
High Price to Pay for Concussions
Back in 1998 -> Number of concussions has the NHL in a Search for Answers
NHL must address increasing danger of hits to head

I could list dozens of more articles. The important message to kids, parents and coaches alike is... don't play through the pain. Don't hide a head injury, it just isn't worth it. There is no game, no team, no one moment that makes it worth the risk.

Lastly, I am gathering more information on ImPACT testing that EVERY player, in any sport, should have done. It's too late for Ryan to have that done now (for this injury), the testing has to be done before an injury. I will share with everyone once I have gathered more information.

Finally, I again want to thank Coach Tondera for his amazing support and encouragement to Ryan during this whole ordeal. Our many, many thanks Erik.