The long term effects of concussions

Here’s an article that appeared in the Toronto Star that we should all read and take to heart: Long-term effects of concussion misunderstood. When I was a kid we didn’t worry too much about concussions  — or helmets for that matter. If you fell off you got back on. I never had a trainer tell me to rest and I never went to a Doctor.

Sometimes you don’t exhibit the symptoms for several hours after a fall. The last time I had a concussion, which was more than 5 years ago now, I had a minor fall. I misjudged the striding of an in and out when hunting. I thought we were going to do it in two strides; my horse chose one and a half. I landed unbalanced and went over his shoulder. I dusted myself off, finished the hunt and, about two hours later when I was back in the barn and putting my horse away, I saw pinpricks of light. Bingo. I had a concussion. Even then I didn’t go to the doctor as I felt it was “too late.”

We know so much more about concussions now — so take them seriously, treat them appropriately, and always see your doctor if you have a head injury!