National Concussion Awareness Day - Sept 15th 2017
Weeks and months went by and my symptoms were slowly improving. I was diagnosed with Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS). PCS is a complex disorder where various concussion symptoms last for weeks, months, or years after a concussion. It’s strange how you can live your life never coming across the phrase “Post Concussion Syndrome”, never thinking about it, and then, boom, a series of events means you don’t go a day without thinking about PCS; how to fight it, how to solve it like a puzzle, how to explain it to doctors, or family, or friends.
I never could have imagined that something that seemed so minor could have such long-lasting and severe impact on my life. Today, almost seven months after my injury, countless hours of rest and continued rehabilitation I’m thankful to finally be feeling better. I was very fortunate to have a strong support system during my recovery, with my family and friends keeping me positive. I’m back at work at Louis Riel doing “work hardening” where I am slowly getting back into the gym. My staff and administration have been utterly supportive and I am eternally grateful to all of them for their continued encouragement.
If you take anything from reading this post please take every hit to the head seriously. Don’t just push through, or say you’re ok if you feel symptoms. I encourage every teacher, coach and parent to take the FREE online concussion training. Education and awareness of concussions is what we need to help prevent, and diagnose this misunderstood injury.
CBE Concussion Training through Staff Insite - Click here or search, “concussion training”
https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html
Danielle Boutette - Health and Physical Education Advocate, mom of 3, go leafs go!