Herschel Walker, My Concussion And Society

[usedtobedemgurl]

Until a year or so ago, I had no idea about concussions. And why would I know anything about it? I have no reason to know. That is like society in general, they don't really know about concussions, until they come in contact with a concussion survivor or they have a concussion.

A few of the symptoms I have are: dizziness, fogginess, not being able to do simple word problems, double vision, headaches and more, My vision and possibly other things make it so I run into doorways and furniture. I forget what I am saying in the middle of a sentence. I read something and I have to often (9/10) reread it or just put it down, because I cannot understand what was written or I forget what I just read. I get to the middle of a show and try to decipher how I got to that place in the show, because even though I am watching, my memory is not tracking the show. I have such a loss of confidence in myself, that I don't trust myself to make decisions. I was trying to sell my house, when the accident happened. It was too much and too technical for me, so I turned over the sale of my house to my boyfriend. I have paid a bill and turned around and IMMEDIATELY paid it again! That is how forgetful I am.

That is a highlight of most of my PTSD/post concussion syndrome symptoms. This brings me to Herschel. A majority of us felt he should not run. We felt he was being used and manipulated by The republican party. You could tell by his speech he was not fit for office. He had a lot of concussions in his chosen profession. I got one. ONE! And my life may never be the same. I now have a greater chance for dementia, just because of one concussion!! How crazy is that?

Did you know concussions stack on one another? While my PTSD therapist (after rump. everyone should be entitled to a PTSD therapist!!!) encourages me to go out, I keep trying to explain to her about stacking concussions. I avoid a second concussion the way I avoid covid. I know that long haul or the stacking of concussions would be the end of me. She says the chances of me being in an accident are small, but I tell her it only needs to take place once in order for things to get (here is part of my concussion kicking in! Sometimes I cannot pull up a word or phrase. It is there, stuck in my mind, mocking me. I don't know the word, so I will try to communicate around it, as my concussion specialist says a lot of survivors do) accumulative? Top add up? To stack on each other? None of those feels like the word I am trying to touch on, so I hope you will get the meaning of this writing.

Despite articles and movies about sports and concussions, society is woefully uneducated. I cannot help but think this is purposeful. I have watched TV. People get in wrecks, beaten up and more but still go on like nothing happened. I have a physical reaction to those things now. I cannot watch a car wreck, or someone being hit, without feeling I was punched in the gut or getting one of my headaches. Oh! Where I never really had headaches before, some of my headaches last OVER 24 hours!!!! I am taking pills for my headaches but they only make the headache pain tolerable, they do not make them go away. If society knew what they were sending their high schoolers out for or even if the high schoolers were educated, maybe sports would be safer, or a lot less people would be playing them. Society needs to be educated on concussions and the long-term effects it can have. Until then, we will keep injuring our players. I know education is not the end all. Everyone will not join hands and sing songs. But maybe some folks will be saved.

What do you know about concussions? Before someone rear-ended me, I thought a concussion was something where someone felt unsteady and may not be able to play the game for a day or two. I had no idea what it was really like.

I believe if we knew what concussions cause in a person, we may end up being a lot more enlightened. We might not think it was ok to have Herschel run. I am smart enough to know I cannot run for office with a TBI (Traumatic brain injury) and concussion. I sometimes have trouble in regular conversation. There is no way I am competent to run an office, even if only for a dog catcher. When Democrats talked about all the uncontested races, I wanted to run. I wanted to give back to a nation that has done so much for me. I would not be able to debate. I cannot think quick enough. I also cannot process someone else's words in a timely manner.

A year and a half ago, before my accident, I would have been fit to run. Now? There is no way in hell! The same thing with Herschel. If you knew the intricacies of what a concussion can do to a person, you would be able to watch Herchel, even if you did not have a medical degree, and you would know he should not be there. I hear him talk about vampires, and I think that is such simplistic thinking, yet he thinks he is ok to run. Concussions are really bad news. My accident was bad enough. my therapist and I do not think I will ever really drive again. I have a 6 year old car with less than 30,000 miles on her. If I drive with double vision, I may get in an accident. If I cannot drive a car, I sure as heck cannot run for office.

I wish I could describe for you what a concussion is truly like. I wish I could get you and others to understand. It is not something you can easily shake off. It is something that can affect all areas of your life. I struggle EVERY day, to remember the names of my pets, as well as the name of my boyfriend of nine years! I understand every concussion is different. Some have less impact than others. But watching Herschel on stage, I wanted to yell, "Put down your camera and help him! He should not be there!!!! "

We will never know what we are dealing with, if we do not educate ourselves about concussions. We should educate our society and maybe after that, new rules/laws can fall into place. I don't care how much money my lawsuit brings (I was fully stopped at a light, when the guy ran into me), money cannot replace my dog's names or my boyfriend's name. It cannot bring back my faith in myself I so sorely lack at the moment. I am convinced if we knew what concussions can do to a person, we never would have allowed Herschel to run. Maybe I am too optimistic about all of this. The race was a lot closer than it ever should have been.

I sit here and think what if my boys decided they wanted to play football in high school? Or how about college? I would have let them, because I did not know any better. I had no idea about the life long effects a concussion can cause.

Concussions are a plague on our society. Go to Reddit and see how lost folks are in the concussion sub-Reddit. This is really serious. I cannot go out without my sunglasses, because now I have light sensitivity. I have stopped talking to most of my friends, because I am so embarrassed by how much I have lost. It took me two weeks to write this, because I do not type well anymore, and I cannot write like I once did. I cannot find my words. I cannot put them together into a cohesive thought. I re-write sentences, because I cannot find my words. There are too many challenges to mention.

TLDR: Concussions are bad, beyond what you can comprehend. We need to educate society, so we may fix this problem. We also need to educate so people like Herschel do not get in way over their heads. People like that have a disability. They should be protected, not used.

[mopinko]

1. had a horrendous head injury at 6.

and a few more concussions along the way. i had seizures for a decade, hallucinations. never told anyone, no one ever saw it.
i had neuro weirdness for the next 60 yrs. tripped over my own feet. muscle spasms. all sorts of weirdness. a long course of hi dose edibles made most of that go away.

i guess i’m unfit for office. i’ve run for small seats twice. once st 21, which i won. once in 2012, which i lost. dont think that had anything to do w brain damage, but…
but those glitches in the matrix f’ed up a whoooooole lot of things in my life.

[usedtobedemgurl]

3. I am so sorry you went through all of that!

A concussion alone does not preclude you from holding office. Each concussion is different. My specialist told me we will worry about symptoms if they do not go away after a couple of years!!!!!

I, too, have had neuro weirdness. I had a horrible neuro. He prescribed something for my headaches. I did not feel it was the right medication for me, because of some of the side effects. I called the drug company and they said that medication can CAUSE headaches as a side effect. They also said it was not meant for headaches. It was meant for bi-polar and something else (again, my brain forgets!!!) The drug company told me with my preexisting conditions, tests should have been done on me, if the meds had been warranted. They said the meds could easily have killed me!!!!

I do edibles (legal) too! It is the only thing that takes my mind off the constant, unrelenting pain. Not exactly high dose, but they do help me.

I wish you luck with everything you experience.

[malaise]

6. That was and is rough

and yet you soldier on helping others

[mopinko]

11. d'awww

ty hon.

[Siwsan]

2. I watched a show about 'professional' wrestlers and their histories of concussions

Apparently those metal chair encounters weren't stunts. They were really smashing each other. Not sure they even do that, anymore.

The damage likely explains why so many die so young. Well, that and the steroid abuse.

[usedtobedemgurl]

4. I had no idea they were real!!!!

I honestly get a headache just thinking about that. After the first time someone got a concussion, you would think they would reevaluate their methods of fighting. Ouch!

[ProfessorGAC]

43. A Guy From This Town...

...was a pro wrestler. He went to school with some people I was in a band with, so I talked to him several times. (I didn't grow up here, so I didn't know him back in the day.)
I asked him some questions that would have been secret in the "kayfabe" days. He told me they learn to hit with the chair so the seat fold a bit on contact and they're trying to hit the shoulder with the seat back to lose some momentum.
But, the "hitter" is far from perfect, and yes, they get hit in the head by those chairs. Yes, sometimes when they hit the inner link when their heads get slammed into the turnbuckle.
He thought he had 1 or 2 concussions as a HS & college linebacker, but 20 something as a wrestler.
It might be better now, I don't know. He wrestled in the late 70s through the mid 90s so a while ago.
But, a lot of those impacts are more real than we think.

[usedtobedemgurl]

45. This is so sad!

Thank you for sharing that story. Could you tell he had concussions by the way he talked? It is insanity. They can do wrestling without the chairs. It would not take away from anything, if they left that out.

Concussions stack. And, yes, the impacts are more real than most realize. I cannot imagine how much damage was done to his brain!!!!

[ProfessorGAC]

46. Not Really

But, this was between 25 & 40 years ago that I used to see him. (He followed one of my later bands.)
He was a steroid user too, so I don't know his health now. All I know is that he's still alive.

[John Ludi]

5. I had one a couple years ago

and it was relatively mild...but it messed me up for a few months. Gradually I got better...until I banged my head a couple more times, and now I think I'm pretty much permanently diminished, fortunately not to a large degree...but I can feel it. I'm not entirely who I used to be.

I worked with someone who had a stacking concussion condition, someone in her 20's. She had to be REALLY careful about how she moved as even slight jerks of her head could add one more concussion to the pile and destabilize her even further.

Concussions are definitely not taken as seriously as they should be, in my opinion.

[usedtobedemgurl]

8. Yes!

On the sub-Reddit, there are a lot of people who feel different and not the same person. People who do not understand, always say that I will get better. I do not like this new person. They do not have the mental facilities I had before the accident. I am NOT the same person, and I keep telling my bf I feel broken.

I, too, feel this is permanent for me. Although my speech therapist (works on getting my words back) says I could easily get it back in two to three years, but that is with hard work AND luck. The only thing she has done is give me tricks to try and remember things. For example, I write Post-It notes everywhere. Say things three times. And on and on the tricks go. I finally asked her if she was going to help me recall my words, and she said she only had tricks, it must return on its own!

I have heard a lot of stories like your co-worker. It is sad, but they are cumulative (I think that was the word I was looking for in the OP).

Yes, they need to be taken a lot more seriously. NO amount of money is worth this type of mental pain. I hope you find your old self. xoxo

[John Ludi]

38. People have said

to me that "oh, you're just getting old" (I'm 58), and some slow decline is normal...but mine seemed pretty abrupt. Fortunately I'm fairly bright (as talking monkeys go), so even with a slight trim to my faculties I'm still able to be reasonably lucid and articulate...but I know what I USED to be like and this is not entirely it.

[usedtobedemgurl]

47. You get it!

You totally get it!!!! Yes, this is not what you and I used to be. That is how I feel most of the time. I've had folks say, "We all forget at times. I go in a room and forget why I entered that room." Those people get an A for effort. They are trying to relate, and I appreciate that. The problem is this is not a once in a while thing. It is all the time, and it is stressful. My speech therapist admits she did not know me before, but she likes who I am. That is great but the one thing I do remember is who I was. I know what I was capable of. I know I am not the same. I am not sure I will ever teach or edit again, because I do not feel confident in doing such things.

By the way, your monkey reference brought a smile to my day. Thank you.

[electric_blue68]

7. I am so sorry you are suffering like this but please reach out to your friends! Why? Because...

the best of them will be empathetic, patient with you. They care about you.

Even if you're diminished in some areas you still bring your heart, your caring to them. And they love you for that.

To isolate yourself more will hurt youself more.

While my long time back (non concussion) x months struggle with a serious loss of concentration was temporary it was awful especially because I had to write up what happened to me to get the help I needed.

Everyone recovering from something is different Including TBI.
I knew someone who went through it she was able to return her profession.
In time you could get more back.

Let your friends be there for you.

[usedtobedemgurl]

12. It is so hard to include friends....

If you do not understand about concussions, if you have never had one or someone near to you had one, you may never fully understand.

I know what you are saying about friends. I was pretty isolated anyway, due to covid. Now, I stay away because I feel inept. No amount of friends will make me feel otherwise. It is hard to reach out to friends, because sometimes I cannot put a full sentence together. I keep telling bf and family, the day before the accident I was a college graduate. The day after, I could ride the short yellow bus. I was doing online teaching before and after the accident. Before, I was crushing it. I could teach for 12 1/2 straight hours, with hardly any effort. After the wreck? I would find myself agreeing with a child's wrong answer. Or, if the answer was on my work, I might give the child the wrong answer, only to see the right one and have to correct myself. This is simple educational materials. Stuff at a k-2 level, and I was now getting simple answers wrong. That is still a problem for me today. I read wrong words. That can be in a book, an article, or even a business sign. I have to reread almost everything, just to read the right words.

I just do not see how I can support any relationship when I am like this. I am lucky to have such an understanding bf. I just don't think I have the spoons. And, quite honestly, I am sure I would find myself asking questions several times over. because I will forget I asked them. At one point we were leaving a parking lot and we were supposed to go to Publix, to get fried chicken. I said we could forget that and just go home. One minute later I repeated that, because I forgot I said it.

I understand it must have been hard on you to write it up. With each new medical professional (I have now seen over 14!!!) I always have to describe what happened. It is mentally jarring and triggering. I have been in tears describing it - probably due in huge part to my PTSD after the accident.

I hope I can return to editing and teaching, although it has been over a year now, and my hope is fading fast. I hope you find normalcy and much healing. Back problems can be the worst. It can also cause memory loss. My speech therapist said I have all three leading causes of memory loss. I know there is pain, anxiety and lack of sleep. I think the accident/concussion is to mostly blame, but we will not find out until some of my issues have been reolved. I hope all of your issues are done.

[electric_blue68]

15. I did recovery completely - after several more months of misery. I hope as I learned...

minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.

Best wishes and hope for you for improvement and way less pain in 2023.

[usedtobedemgurl]

20. So glad you recovered.

Thank you for the well wishes. Heading into 2023 with some fears. If I make it to August, that will be two years since my accident and according to my concussion specialist, the symptoms I have then, are the ones that may stay with me. We will see how it works out. Happy New Year, my friend.

[central scrutinizer]

9. I had a concussion a few years ago

Crashed my bicycle on a black ice patch. Came to lying in the middle of the bike path with a cracked helmet. I hate to think what would have happened without the helmet. Thought I was okay but I realized a few months later that my mind had been foggy and gradually returned to normal (I think)

[usedtobedemgurl]

13. I hope you are completely back to normal. nt

[niyad]

10. I cannot imagine what it took to write this, what you deal with daily. But thank

you for educating us about this incredibly serious issue.

[usedtobedemgurl]

14. Thank you!

It is hard to write. Before my accident, I was 350 pages into a book I was writing. I hoped to have it finished by last Christmas. I cannot write like I once did. I feel inept. Listening to others in the same boat, this is real and nothing that my mind is tricking me into thinking. There are other things that make this ridiculously hard. My light sensitivity. After being on a computer, I feel very loopy and run into stuff. My double vision makes it hard to write and read.

This is so serious. I don't know who I have to reach out to in order to get education started within our system. This is knowledge people need to know. Even professionals I've seen since my accident do not seem to know a lot of these things. For example, I have had two MRIs. Do you know an MRI will NOT tell you anything about a concussion? You need a cat scan for that. Our medical professionals are woefully uninformed. It is crazy.

[niyad]

24. It is more than crazy, it is frightening. People trust these "experts" with their LIVES!

Many years ago, I sustained a very mild concussion at work. Was taken to our useless (unless you were a skier and it was ortho) ER. I told the dr. that, since I was seven days into a migraine, I welcomed my head hurting sonewhere else, and insisted on my migraine meds. Went home, prepared a holiday open house for about 20 neighbors and coworkers. I know that I was extremely fortunate not to have any lingering effects. My extreme sensitivity to light had always been there, so nothing new there.

I wish that I had some helpful ideas on how you can spread your information. I know that, with your permission, I will be sharing it with my friends, and asking them to spread it.

[usedtobedemgurl]

48. Of course!

Please do share. Everyone can share. If you think of some way to reach the public, I am always open to listening.

[NNadir]

16. While in a coma, I got checked to see if I was brain dead after a head injury at the age of 23.

It was a bicycle accident, head collision with a car that was totaled. I spent a week in intensive care, a few days therein in a coma, and was expected to be hospitalized for a month, but got out within two weeks. In those days people seldom wore helmets while bicycling; I wasn't wearing one.

I make jokes to this day about having failed the "brain dead" test but being allowed to survive in any case.

I'm sure I would be a very different person had I never had the accident, but for me, perhaps not for the majority of people having suffered such a trauma, I can't say I have had any noticeable long term effects.

I say this because I want anyone who has suffered a concussion to not think they are doomed to become Hershel Walker. I do monitor the scientific literature on this score, particularly because apparently on form of Alzheimer's disease may be related to trauma, but again, at a relatively advanced age, despite my trauma, I am still able to read and comprehend very sophisticated scientific literature.

We should be aware of risks, but not confuse them with inevitability.

[usedtobedemgurl]

18. I am glad you are alright.....

Were you diagnosed as having a concussion? Just curious as the coma part feels very severe.

Yes, all concussions are not the same. And people may have no effects at all.

[NNadir]

35. I'm sure I was. Frankly I was somewhat removed from hearing the details of my condition.

I was unconscious, and in any case, it's probably the case that there were much bigger concerns.

I don't remember the accident itself at all. A friend of mine saw it and described it to me, but I don't remember it. I'm told, so as to believe it, that the accident was my fault.

I know I underwent an EEG to determine whether or not my organs should be donated.

I had a huge gash on the back of my head, requiring multiple stitches, through which I lost so much blood as to require several transfusions. (It is the reason I regularly donate blood; blood transfusions saved my life.) During the recovery phase, the stitches were very painful because making it difficult to lay on a pillow; I could not roll on my side because of the tubing for reinflating my lung, as well as the severe pain from the broken ribs.

It changed my life because for a time, at least, I understood that I was not immortal.

I may have forgotten that later on, but it's come back to me:

I have a far more sophisticated view of my mortality now that I've grown old, and lived long enough to have faced an inevitable end at which, by good fortune, I have at least learned exactly how beautiful a life can be.

[usedtobedemgurl]

49. I am happy you survived.

It is not unusual for concussion victims to have a blank memory in regard to the incident. I feel very lucky. While the cop refused to let me drive home and insisted on an ambulance, I remember everything. Well, what I can while taking in everything that happened. For example, I do not remember hitting my head, but the symptoms were bad enough, I must have. I remember being stopped at a red light. I remember seeing a car come up behind me, in my rearview mirror. I remember being hit. I know there was a medical vehicle, of some sort, about four cars ahead of me. They did not go when the light turned red. The got out and checked out the other guy and me. By the time the cop got there, I already had my blood pressure taken. I cannot remember them doing anything but taking my bp. How would I know if I forgot?!?!? I recall there was an ambulance, but I am not sure I saw it arrive. And that is enough delving into my accident. I have been diagnosed with severe PTSD (due to the accident), and I am becoming quite emotional.

I am happy you came out ok and have a new appreciation for life. I hope I can get there. I think I could only find that appreciation once I am fully healed. (if that happens) Right now, it is hard to appreciate life, when I am in pain, mentally and physically, 24/7. I look to your post for a hopeful future. Thank you.

[pandr32]

17. TY for this.

I have had concussions as well and the comments about "neuro wierdness" have piqued my interest. Neurological symptoms have been like a plague.

[usedtobedemgurl]

19. Have you seen a neurologist?

I have had a lot of that, too. My concussion specialist told me there is nothing wrong with me having hallucinations and he had had them too. I have not found anyone who will back up my theory that part of my TBI has caused a change in my taste buds. I loved bologna before this. Now I cannot stand the taste. I could eat spicy stuff in the past. Not any more. There are more things. I find I can hardly stand to eat chicken. My brain does not do math well any more. When I type, I look up and see the words I tried to form are not there. I cannot have any background noise during a conversation, or I lose what the TV/radio was saying, and I have to ask folks to repeat what they just said, after I turn off the noise. Sometimes typing or talking to people feels like a Mad Lib game. I use all the words I can think of, until I sometimes find the right one. My life and brain have completely changed. My neurologist was less than helpful. In fact, the meds he gave me for headaches could have killed me, if I had taken them!

[TheRickles]

23. Many TBI specialists were trained in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).

Also called physiatrists, they have a multi-disciplinary focus and work with everything from mild TBI to devastating brain injuries. Worth checking out any rehabilitation hospitals in your area for a neuropsych/cognitive eval and possible retraining approaches.

[usedtobedemgurl]

50. I am looking for a new neurologist, so ........

I will take your advice. This forum has a delightful amount of information. I appreciate the information you've provided. Thank you.

[pandr32]

34. I do have neuropathy.

I was tested. It was years ago. No word as to what caused it, only some info about possible causes.

I have weird things happen all the time including taste changes as well as my sense of smell. I also find I drop numbers when counting and have to make a very conscious effort not to. I sometimes stutter. Noises jumble and drive me nuts. There is always background noise when someone is talking. I also suffer from pains that come and go along with tingles, sharp jabs, burning, itching, and sometimes numbness. Head pressure, too. I tend to get anxious and have a hard time sleeping much of the time.

Until recently I never put together my multiple head injuries with my issues. I have suffered head/face fractures and neck injury.

By the way, you write well!

[usedtobedemgurl]

52. Thank you.

My first instinct is to say you should see how I used to write, but I always try to be graceful when accepting compliments. So, thank you very much. I feel inept, so it is always nice to hear. I appreciate that.

It is good to hear some others have a change in taste. I would not want anyone to go through that, but I felt crazy. I am not sure how many times I've Googled "concussion" and "taste change," I found nothing. Maybe I need to change my search words. Perhaps this is something neurological which occurred during my accident.

I have always had a stuffy nose, so no real change there. Oh my goodness, I have a lot of those things, such as jabs, head pressure and tingles!!! I also have a lack of sleep, which they say affects my memory!!!! But they could not figure out what it was for you? I tend to forget....everything!!! If you stay in contact with me, if I can find out what it is, I will let you know. How long have you experienced this?

[pandr32]

53. Head trauma can definitely be the cause.

I have been reading a lot about concussion, TBI (traumatic brain injury), and neuropathy. Try mixing up your search terms.
Sleep disturbances are common, and yes--poor sleep can affect memory.
I have had issues for a long time. My first injury (neck) occurred when I was in Grade 3 and my head injuries occurred when I was in my 20s. When I was a kid I couldn't really explain the neurological problems I experienced well enough to be taken seriously.
Happy holidays to you!

[Hekate]

21. You've written a very valuable essay, demgurl. This deserves to be read everywhere.

All the very best.

[usedtobedemgurl]

39. Thank you! I wish you great health. nt

[CanonRay]

22. I've had several concussions in my life, and I am very lucky

My only symptom seems to be inability to come up with a word...which happens a lot. I'm sure I've had at least four, possibly five. I think about it a lot watching Walker.

[usedtobedemgurl]

40. You are not alone.....

Many concussion victims have that problem. I am sorry you do. Please be aware that with a concussion you have a greater chance of dementia. Keep an eye on that. The best of luck to you.

[greatauntoftriplets]

25. I'm so sorry that you're going through this.

A year ago in October, my nephew fell off a ladder at home and suffered a TBI. Sadly, he died the next day. The ER doctor said that he'd never seen a worse brain bleed. The seriousness of these injuries cannot be overstated.

[usedtobedemgurl]

41. Oh my gosh!

I am so sorry for your loss. Yes, a brain injury can do that. There is so much the general public does not know. There is so much doctors do not know. There is a lot I do not know, but I am trying to learn, so I may help others in my position. Stay well, and be safe.

[greatauntoftriplets]

51. Thanks very much.

Take care of yourself.

[Farmer-Rick]

26. There are like 3 levels of concussion

It sounds like you had the worst level.

I hope your life gets better with time.

Thanks for bringing out the truth of concussions. It's good to hear about the dangers. I'm so glad my children were never into football or other dangerous sports.

[usedtobedemgurl]

42. I am not sure if I have the worst level.

From what I recall, the worst stage, and where they keep an eye on you, is if you lose consciousness. So, maybe I am the second worst level?

Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it.

I agree. I am also glad my kids did not want to play sports. I had no idea back then. I would have had such guilt if I let my boys play sports and they were injured for life. This madness has got to stop, or at least have people informed of the chance the/their kids are taking.

[marble falls]

27. Very good piece. I had to read it three times to appreciate it fully. Thank you.

[Wild blueberry]

28. Thank you for sharing your hard-won, valuable perspective

May you continue to heal.

[cate94]

29. I've had several

The first when I was 3. I was hit by a car. During grade school and high school, I had problems with memorization. In college I did far better because it was less memory and more analytical.

2 of my concussions were severe, with loss of consciousness and a certain level of amnesia as to how and what happened to me.I have a relatively small lesion in my right parietal lobe. The others were mild. I have suffered migraines, but they are lessening. Finding the right words has become increasingly difficult, which is worrisome given my age.

You write beautifully. To increase your confidence, I suggest you take a look at what Fetterman accomplished after his stroke. The brain can recover.

[grantcart]

30. The movie "Concussion" does an excellent job explaining concussions

And CTE.

[usedtobedemgurl]

31. What platform is that on?

Thank you!

[grantcart]

37. Not sure. It stars Will Smith as Dr. Omalu in a true story

about how this Catholic assistant coroner,who migrated from Nigeria, was so concerned about several Baltimore NFL players dying with dramatic brain damages.

He pays $ 10,000 out of his own pocket to get brains disected so they could be examined under a microscope showing immediately that they suffered from CTE, which causes proteins from the inside of the brain to eat the brain from the inside resulting in a seemingly pristine brain to become diseased resulting in dementia, suicides and murders.

It incorporates a lot of scientific explanations as Omalu fights the NFL and wins on the CTE issue and concussion protocol. One fascinating part is explaining that woodpeckers don't get CTE because their tongue grows back into their skull and cushions the brain from impact.

After seeing the movie I don't understand how we still have contact football for children, we should have flag football up thru highschool.

[KS Toronado]

32. I've had 2 bad concussions in my life

One knocked me out for about 3 hours, the other I lost my eyesight for about half an hour, most terrifying
half hour I've ever had worrying what the future held for me.

Never really thought the concussions gave me any long term problems but as I get older (71) I'm
noticing short and long term memory loss.

One thing that helps me keep what few brains I have left (IMO) is that I've always done word games daily to
exercise my mind. Crossword puzzles, crypto, & sudoku games help slow down going down hill. Card games,
jig-saw puzzles are helpful also, any game that makes us think or concentrate helps us hold on to our sanity.

Remember, once we're over the hill we gain speed going down.

[usedtobedemgurl]

33. @all...

I can only spend so much time on electronics before I get a headache, my double vision gets worse and I have to get off. I promise to do more replies later or tomorrow.

Your replies are valued, and I thank you for your support. If anyone wants/needs to talk, I am here. I may not answer at once, but I promise a reply.

If anyone is still suffering there are places on Reddit you might want to look into - concussions, car accident survivors and more. Those people can provide much more than support. They know the doctors you might want to see and things that may help you. Please consider it.

I hope you all have a good afternoon.

[Delphinus]

36. What an amazing thread

Thank you to everyone who spoke up - I have learned so much.

May you get better.

[ProfessorGAC]

44. One In My Life

For reasons never explained, I passed out while at a store. I went down and hit the back of my head on the quarry tile floor. (Of course, 90% of the floor was carpeted but I had to pass out there where the tile floor was.)
Minor concussion, and a couple staples in my scalp.
My symptoms were very mild & lasted only a day or two.
I can't imagine having lingering effects from it.