Concussion bill would protect student athletes
MADISON, Wis. — Concussions are a major concern for many student athletes. But sometimes a player might not even recognize the symptoms.
That’s why state lawmakers are stepping in. A proposal would require athletes between the ages of 11 and 19 to be taken out of the game if they’re suspected of having a concussion. That player would have to be evaluated by a medical professional before returning to play.
The legislation recently passed unopposed through the State Assembly Education Committee. Now it’s waiting to be put up for a vote in front of the full assembly.
But are student athletes really at risk for recurring concussions?
Just ask former linebacker Joe Sorenson. He’s a senior at Onalaska High School. And he’s had eight concussions.
“I see blue out of my right eye sometimes and I see yellow out of my left. And then just like headaches and stuff, and not being able to sleep,” said Joe.
His most recent concussion came during a football game about a month-and-a-half ago. Now doctors say he should never play contact sports again.
“My husband and I were watching the game and I saw Joe get hit. And I saw him stand up. And I leaned over and I said to my husband, ‘I think Joe is hurt.’ And he said, ‘No, he’s fine.’ And then someone came and hit him from behind and I saw him go down. And my heart just sunk,” said Joe’s mother Anne Sorenson.
Joe was taken out the game immediately after his injury, but there have been other times when he’s written it off as a headache and returned to play.
“Sometimes parents, athletes, coaches don’t necessarily recognize when it’s appropriate to return someone to play,” said Gundersen Lutheran Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic physician Dr. Jeffrey Derr.
And many doctors are in favor of protecting these athletes a time when their brains are still developing.
“Certainly everyone’s at risk for recurring concussions, but there’s good evidence to show that the immature brain– so a developing brain that hasn’t developed fully, and the brain doesn’t fully mature really until the late teens or early 20s– takes longer to heal after a concussion,” said Dr. Derr.
Joe still goes to every practice and every game. But now, he’s watching from the sidelines.
“Everyone wants to play and you don’t want to sit out. But really, it’s high school sports. You’ve got to protect yourself for your life,” said Joe.
He says even though he’s had multiple injuries on top of his concussions, he has no regrets about playing the game.
There are certain symptoms to watch out for that are common for concussions. They include headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.