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.

My inner Moo

The past month or so has been one of the worse times in my life for stress. I can easily think of other times I hated much worse, but lately, I have let the stress get to me too much and figure it is time to work on the inner moo.

I think I have learned a lot in the past 2 months. Many will likely disagree, that's their opinion and they are welcome to keep it. All that matters, at all, is what's within... the inner moo. So, now, it is all about "me", the real me and my inner moo and I'm using "The Big Moo" as one of my tools.

The Big Moo talks about being remarkable as what is really needed to be a differentiator from average and ordinary to remarkable. The Moo Big tells us:

• Remarkable is being unafraid to stand out. I'm not afraid of that, just look at the out of the box stuff my staff has done and is doing.
• Remarkable is knowing that a risky idea might fail, but a boring idea will definitely fail. Boy is there a lot I'd like to say here, but there might be a few loved ones that might be offended. This has hit home very recently... call me on my video phone and I'll tell you why.
• Remarkable is failing often and then trying again. Just think if Edison had given up after the first 5,000 or 10,000 failures when he was experimenting with what would become a light bulb.
• Remarkable is more doing and less planning. More testing and less waiting. More dreaming and less sleeping. God, I hope people where I work read this!

I am a remarkable person and I know it. I hope you are too. I know my Dad was a remarkable person. Beginning tomorrow, I go back to living the life of a remarkable person, despite what others think, do or say.... remember, I can, because I am remarkable! What about you? Do something worth taking about... do something remarkable.

This old dog...

Well, ole Zoe, the family Chocolate Lab, just ain't what she use to be. She flopped down in front of the wood stove by my chair late last night. About 4:30 this morning, she was laying there panting loudly enough to get my attention, to which I just said lay down. She does that sometimes when the weather is about to change or when a storm is coming and she begins to turn into a wall destruction nervous Nellie. She did lay bad down, but at 6:30, it was apparent something was medically wrong with her.

Made a vet appointment a got her there. Had to be carried on a stretcher... she looks like crap. Unfortunately, all the preliminary test are not showing what is wrong, all appears to be OK... just more stress in my life.

I'm looking for something good to happen, should I go buy a lottery ticket on a whim? Could something good happen or would I just lose 20 bucks.

I hope this is my last stuck in a rut entry. Seth Godin's collection of short stories in "The Big Moo" suggest we stop trying to be perfect and start being remarkable, and get out of the rut (I added the get out of the rut part).

We probably all know that when in a rut, it seems many things we try don't work out as fast as we need them to; and that many of those around us do and say things to cause us to to sink deeper in the rut. They are in a rut too and just don't even know it. Their help is to bring you to their low level of satisfaction which narrows the gap between the two of you, so now they feel better... that doesn't help you or me. We all know good things will and do come with growth. On the other, we’re petrified that growth means change, and change means risk, and risk means death. Nobody wants to screw up and ruin a good thing, so most of us just keep doing the same things we've always done... and therefore we keep getting the same things we have always gotten. Things need to change.

So to Zoe, to me and anyone else interested... it's time for change, time for us to create a Big Moo! Are you ready? Let me know.

Hey, what about the good news? Brianna!

Gosh, I have been so overwhelmed with all the other events going on, I have been remiss in writing about one of the best moments - the introduction of Brianna, my second grand child. She made her entrance on 8-8-08, that won't be hard to remember, down in Connecticut to my daughter Rebecca and her husband Garrett. Whoo-hoo!

She came into the world at 6 pounds 14 ounces and 17.5 inches long... or something around there. She's a peanut. Congratulations Becca, Garrett and Happy Birthday Brianna Lynn!

It's a new day...

I am at a particularly frustrating spot in my life right now. Many things that are going on seem to have a negative presence around them... but I am working really hard to stay on the positive side of things.

So what's my problem, I seemed to be surrounded by "pointers" and need to regroup and get back with the "scoopers". Don't know what that means, then go to my good friends Web site: http://www.dogpoopinitiative.com/ and read his short story... it's worth the read!

Despite the pointers I truly love, I shall be a scooper despite what you say, no matter what you do! There is always another way.

Why do people complain?

OK, first I'll say, I likely do my share of complaining too. Second, I'll say, I am trying to stop.

Complaining for complains sake drives me nuts. Some people just bitch and complain about everything, maybe that's what I'm doing now - what do you think?. What drives me nuts is when the complains come across with a "holier than thou" tone and no constructive suggestion for improvement... bitching and complaining to me about you. Why? I can't do anything about you? Bitching and complaining to you about me. Why? Likely you can't do anything about me either!

• If you don't like the way the coach is coaching - give coaching a try yourself.
• If you don't like the way the refs are calling the game, play a different game.
• If you don't like the way I am driving, drive yourself.
• If you don't like the way I wash the clothes, wash them yourself.
• If you don't like my ideas, try to come up with one of your own.
• Don't complain just because you don't like my way, you can always go do it yourself.

Just imagine if we did everything your way so there was nothing to complain about, then we'd all be like you! What kind of world would that be? Worse yet, you could all be like me!!!

So, my third suggestion in this little FWIW segment is: if you are going to bitch or complain - only do so when some good will come out of it. Offer a suggested change, try not to be confrontational, do it for the good that may come out of it... otherwise, go complain to a tree.

It's about time I got back to the blog

It's been a long time since I have been here. Unfortunately, it was my Dad's death that prompted me to get back here... weird. I think I have changed, for better or worse. Nothing too big I guess, just a different focus.

Work has been... let's say nothing instead... I haven't totally lost my mind. However, I will say I have a great staff, likely I have not said how much I appreciated them lately, most of them are superstars.

Since my Dad's illness, I recalled a statement he always reminded me of... "to soon we get old, too late we get smart". He wasn't the author, but he was the teacher that tried to teach me earlier. I'm just starting to get it now.

I found out that the VA would give my mom and dad additional funds to live on just for the asking because they needed it... but they didn't do that until they moved to a retirement community that cost more per month and had to borrow the money to make ends meet. Then we find out that because my Dad passed during the 6 to 9 months it takes the VA to process the request, they get nothing... nada, nothing retroactive... it's as if they never asked. The funds they had to borrow (as the VA said they had to) are now the responsibility of my mom. Hmmm, I think I need to withhold comments again, but the VA has not heard the last of this.

So, now we are in the situation where my mom is in the new place and loving it, as close to real retirement as she has ever been (at 84 years old) and I'm going to keep her where she is if there is any way possible. If you're reading this, you can help... and you'll save money or make money in the process... call me and ask how.

The one thing I have learned from this, is be prepared for the end, anytime. Living will, last will, funeral arrangements, all that stuff none of us want to do, needs to be done. It's important so others are not forced into making decisions about what should or should not be done... take the guess work out of it.

Joseph D. Greeley

My Dad

Aug 22, 1923 - Aug 20, 2008

Death of a loved one leaves a void which can never be filled, but fond memories are left to be treasured forever. Surrounded by his loving family, at 7:30pm on Wednesday night, August 20, 2008, Colonel Joseph D. Greeley, departed on his final flight into the heavens. He would have been 85 on Friday the 22nd.

My dad was especially wonderful and enjoyable man to be around. It was often said, when Joe Greeley speaks, people listen... he was a wise, compassionate, loving man that would give you the shirt off his back. He was always upbeat and took things in stride; nothing dampened his enthusiasm for life. His presence made the world immensely enjoyable for those nearby.

Of all the things important to him, after God and family, he had an everlasting love of flying, utmost appreciation of our Nation's military and passionate memories of his own Army-Air Corps experience as a World War II B17 bomber pilot. Having flown over 50 bombing missions before his 21st birthday over Nazi Germany and other enemy targets, many of those memories seemed as clear in his mind as if they happened last week, not 60 plus years ago. He was one of the best, being a proud recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross along with 2 Air Medals with Oak Leaf Clusters. It was an honor and a privilege for me to go flying with him aboard the Nine-o-Nine, one of the few remaining operational B17's remaining in the world last September... an 84th birthday present from his children and grandchildren. I was just the lucky one to experience it at his side, something I will never forget. I can't even describe what it meant to him as he stood behind the pilot and reminisced of days gone by.

As a Pease Greeter, he looked forward to dressing with pride in his Air Force uniform to meet and salute the young men and women about to deploy or who were just returning from worldwide war zones.

To respect my Dad's wishes, there will not be any calling hours nor a wake. A memorial service will take place at 10:00am, Friday, September 26, 2008 at St. John's United Methodist Church, 28 Cataract Ave., Dover followed be a full military burial at NH Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH later that afternoon. I lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Pease Greeters in the name of Colonel Joseph D.Greeley.