All-Star Concussions And Awareness

[Official OWECheer]

Seeing all the talk about baseline testing is very surprising. I had never heard about this until now so I'm actually upset my coach didn't do any of this and has probably let girls still practice after getting a concussion. I know for a fact I have gotten a concussion from high school cheer but I thought I was the only one and it was an accident. I became scatterbrained and dizzy during a game but I didn't think anything was wrong because my coach told me I had to do what's best for the team. I wish we had more of a protocol for what to do if a concussion happens and the baseline testing before anything happens.

That should have meant sitting out. What was she thinking?

 

[Julia Cole]

That should have meant sitting out. What was she thinking?

I was the only one who tumbles at halftime and she really likes to keep that in our little routine. This coach has also pressured a girl to do her tumbling to where she tore her acl then had her run the routine until one of the gym coaches told her she should be at a hospital. I found this out after I was committed but if I had known how unsafe she has been in the past I never would have signed up but I only have a month left.

 

[Official OWECheer]

I was the only one who tumbles at halftime and she really likes to keep that in our little routine. This coach has also pressured a girl to do her tumbling to where she tore her acl then had her run the routine until one of the gym coaches told her she should be at a hospital. I found this out after I was committed but if I had known how unsafe she has been in the past I never would have signed up but I only have a month left.

That sounds like child abuse to me. Maybe I'm overreacting, but that is insane.

 

[Jfear]

If what cheer paparazzi posted (which is usually accurate) is correct - a girl on snipers got a concussion yesterday and was allowed to compete a second time, where she was hit AGAIN...this was at GSSA (according to the post)...how this was able to happen after she received the first concussion is pretty scary - a little different but my best friend received a concussion when we were out riding and she came off, she seemed fine but we hacked back home to be safe and get her checked out. In the stable while she was untacking her horse she received another blow to her head (we are still unsure how/ why), and she never woke up. Drs said they can never be sure, but believed the earlier blow to her head contributed to her death. I can't imagine anyone else having to go through something so horrible and unnecessary- I'm in med school now and learning that head injuries are unpredictable even to consultants with vast experience- why risk a life for a performance?

I am so sorry for your loss. The stories I have heard since CP got hers are heartbreaking. Good luck in med school!

 

[Jfear]

I just wanted to post an update on CP. It's been a little over 6 weeks, and the therapist said yesterday he is finally seeing progress. Her eyes are no longer glazed over and dilated. Her personality is finally starting to return! She still can't balance on one foot but can follow his finger without the left eye going out. Reading some of these stories is heartbreaking. To hear coaches knowingly allowing kids to continue is devastating. I know CP's coach asked CP and I if she was ok. I place the blame on myself. I should have been more aware. Cheerleading is about never letting you team down, pushing through because there isn't another person sitting on the sidelines to put in place of the injured athlete. It's what makes these athletes different. It shows in all aspects of their lives. They work harder at school, they are dedicated as employees. They push themselves as others give up. CP works for our after school childcare and her supervisor has told me she is the hardest working student she has ever had. She hasn't worked since the injury but her job is waiting for her because of her dedication.
I do see more awareness when it comes to head injuries and I am thankful for that. I also am so grateful for the 11 years she had in this amazing sport.

 

[Momager]

Thank you for sharing your story and I wish your CP all of the best in her recovery.

I have had two scary experiences a few years apart. One was very similar to your CP's recovery, the other although it seemed as bad or worse when it happened, was completely different in symptoms and recovery. It looks like we are still learning how to best approach these injuries. I ran across both of these articles today.


ReThinking the Restful Approach to Concussions | UPMC

High Schools Seek A Safer Path Back From Concussion : Shots - Health News : NPR

 

[Jfear]

Thank you for sharing your story and I wish your CP all of the best in her recovery.

I have had two scary experiences a few years apart. One was very similar to your CP's recovery, the other although it seemed as bad or worse when it happened, was completely different in symptoms and recovery. It looks like we are still learning how to best approach these injuries. I ran across both of these articles today.


ReThinking the Restful Approach to Concussions | UPMC

High Schools Seek A Safer Path Back From Concussion : Shots - Health News : NPR

Thank you so much for posting these great articles! The second resembles how CP's doctor has handled it. She has come a long way but I often wonder if she did more damage by waiting until she competed that weekend. Can you share your story about the second concussion?

 

[Momager]

[QUOsecond oneJfear, post: 979136, member: 29180"]Thank you so much for posting these great articles! The second resembles how CP's doctor has handled it. She has come a long way but I often wonder if she did more damage by waiting until she competed that weekend. Can you share your story about the second concussion?[/QUOTE]
The second one was cheer related and involved someone falling on her head at a high rate of speed. She was incoherent at first, but within a few hours was much better. No neuro symptoms, one day of extra sleeping, headaches only when pushing limits. I had expected much worse because initially she seemed more hurt than the first. For the first hour I was terrified based on what she was saying and not being able to communicste with her. She was cleared to return after 2-3 weeks and quickly progressed through rrturn to play activities. I had been warned that subsequent concussions could be worse than the first one, but it was just completely different.

 

[311cheermom]

My CP recently had a mild concussion. Fortunately, she is doing much better. From this experience I have learned the importance of being aware of the signs of a concussion. I have also learned that it is common for CP's to try to down play and/or hide symptoms of their concussions because they are afraid of not being able to cheer/compete. @Jfear shared her story with me and I feel it is one that everyone should read; Parents, Coaches, and Athletes.

She received her concussion during practice, they were doing the running tumbling and she collided (mid tuck) with another girl, CP landed on her head and her feet hit the other girl in the face. I didn't see it happen but the people who did said she hit hard. It was at the end of practice. I always stay in my car while she practices (I am too old for crazy cheer mom drama) after practice she came out the car and started crying saying the pain in her head was something she has never felt before (She was diagnosed with migraines at the age of 4 so she is familiar with head pain). She was trying to tell me what happened and and I asked her if she needed to go to the ER and she said no she would be fine, (there was a comp that weekend) and she needed to be there for the team. She went to bed when we got home and I checked on her through the night to make sure she was coherent. The next morning she got up for school (Friday) and said she still had a really bad headache but would be fine. She has all advanced placement classes and expects a lot from herself regarding her grades. She had a quiz that day in psychics and would call me if she didn't feel well. (I learned later she was not ok but she didn't want me to know because they competed on Saturday) After school she went to her boyfriends and came home in the early evening and went to sleep. On Saturday she got ready for the comp and she didn't look too good, she seemed out of sorts, I asked if she was ok and she said she still had a little headache but was fine to compete. I really didn't question her because she is a very rational, mature (sometimes more than I am) 16 year old. When we got to the comp I spoke to her coach and she said she really hit hard but she refused any ice or anything when it happened, she asked Paige if she should take the tumbling out and Paige told her no. Paige did tell her that her head hurt but she was ok. Her coach said it was ok to leave right after they competed. When Paige came off the floor she was in tears because her head hurt so much. We left the comp and it was then I learned the day before she vomited several times during day at school and when she took the quiz she couldn't remember how to do the problems. She didn't want me to know because she didn't want to let her team down. I took her to the Urgent Care and they said she had a concussion and they couldn't do anything more and I would need to take her to a concussion specialist. It was the weekend so we had to wait until Monday.
Luckily, last year when she was a freshman, the school makes it mandatory for any athlete to take a baseline impact test. It gives them information on what they score with no concussion. When we went to the specialist on Monday, they had her take the impact test and they performed and exam and tested balance and strength and the doctor told me after looking at all the information and checking her out, she had a severe concussion. By this time, I feel like I should have been reported to DYFS because I didn't stop her from competing and she could have possibly have caused more damage by not addressing it when it first happened. The doctor said she needed to be on complete bedrest and couldn't attend school, no homework, no tv, cell phone, or computer and anything that required any type of thinking was off limits. He said the only good news was that she would have 10 days off during Christmas Break so hopefully by the end of the break she would be ok to return to school. Those few weeks, she followed his instructions and slept ALOT. Her first concern was school and her grades and getting better so she could be better for Spirit Cheer in Atlantic City. She was to see the doctor every Monday and go to therapy ever Tuesday and Thursday. The entire time she was home, she would have good days, bad days, and really bad days. We noticed her eyes were always diliated and she seemed in a fog, she went from being a independant, self confident, happy 16 year old, to a sad, dazed and confused girl. She would forget things 2 minutes after we talked and she really got depressed because she never had to rely on others and felt helpless. During the break we really thought she had gotten better and she looked forward to going back to school and cheer. When January came, the doctor said her balance was still off and he asked if she felt up to going into school, she could go to class but only listen to the lesson, no note taking or tests or quizzes. She tried to go back on Jan 5th and the nurse called to tell me she was in her office because her head hurt so bad. So I called the doctor and he excused her from school for the remainder of that week. She was very upset because when she was home she felt ok, she felt like she was being a baby because her head hurt so much whenever she tried to do anything. The next Monday at her appointment the doctor had discussed her going to school for only half of the day and see how that went. We also made the decision to let the gym know she couldn't compete with her team at Beast of the East. Once again, she was heartbroken but she understood in the condition she was in, there was no way she could help her team. We alternated her time at school, (one day morning next day afternoon) by the time we picked her up from school she was exhausted with a terrible headache. She would come home each day and take a nap for 2-4 hours. Last weekend, because she couldn't attend the comp, I gave her minute by minute updates about all of our teams competing and though she was sad not being there for support, she was so happy because the teams were doing well. To top everything off, her team won their division. On Monday, I wanted the doctors opinion on returning to cheer which is the information I posted earlier. I never in a million years would have expected this to be such a long process. It can take up to a year for her to heal and it breaks my heart that she has to give up what she loves most. But I have learned that it is not worth taking the risk of doing any more damage than she has already and when I told the gym they really were so understanding. The owner has known CP for years and if there was any way possible, she would be on that mat with her team. They said she is still a part of the team and will be all season, she is welcome to come to any comps and be with them. People talk about the importance of family all the time and CP is lucky we have such a supportive all star family that is there through the good and the bad.
I hope I didn't bore you too much but I feel like this experience has been a total reality check and hope if it happens to other families, they will know what to look for and maybe the kid who has been injured with a concussion for so long isn't just "milking" it. I will keep your daughter in my prayers and feel free to ask any questions

Just read your story. Thank you so much for writing this. I am going to have my cp (12) read it as well, because I don't think she understands the seriousness of concussions, because people don't "look" injured. I hope and pray your daughter makes a full recovery, and she is able to be at peace in the meantime, with so many changes necessary to her lifestyle for the time being.

 

[Official OWECheer]

I remember seeing an article and a news video on Cheerleading Blog about an all star gym that had begun using all-purpose sport helmets while practicing new stunts and tumbling skills to prevent concussions. When I get onto a computer I'll post a link, the helmets weren't bulky at all, surprisingly!

 

[Keep_Believing]

@Official OWECheer is this what you are referring to:

Cheercussion | Uniquely Designed For Protection

 

[Julia Cole]

I remember seeing an article and a news video on Cheerleading Blog about an all star gym that had begun using all-purpose sport helmets while practicing new stunts and tumbling skills to prevent concussions. When I get onto a computer I'll post a link, the helmets weren't bulky at all, surprisingly!

We had something like that for soccer. I'm not sure how well it worked but it wasn't bulky at all either.
Eta it was called a full 90 headguard

 

[calikaitlyn_]

If what cheer paparazzi posted (which is usually accurate) is correct - a girl on snipers got a concussion yesterday and was allowed to compete a second time, where she was hit AGAIN...this was at GSSA (according to the post)...how this was able to happen after she received the first concussion is pretty scary - a little different but my best friend received a concussion when we were out riding and she came off, she seemed fine but we hacked back home to be safe and get her checked out. In the stable while she was untacking her horse she received another blow to her head (we are still unsure how/ why), and she never woke up. Drs said they can never be sure, but believed the earlier blow to her head contributed to her death. I can't imagine anyone else having to go through something so horrible and unnecessary- I'm in med school now and learning that head injuries are unpredictable even to consultants with vast experience- why risk a life for a performance?

I was at GSSA, and I can assure you the girl on snipers did not compete after her concussion. When she hit her head our staff wouldn't let her perform. A guy filled in for her, making them go exhibition because of the extra boy. And this is what someone told me that was backstage with snipers, not a cheer gossip twitter.

 

[Keep_Believing]

@calikaitlyn_ Thanks for sharing. I am always very leery to believe gossip from social media.

 

[cheermomof4]

Not cheer related but kids related

My middle son has a history of concussions most of them when he was younger and 3 of them were caused by cp when she was 2 and he was 3. Due to this the neurologist told us no contact sports but that soccer was ok but we allowed him to play. He got a couple more from soccer over the years and on of them landed him in the er getting a CT scan because a headache caused him to wake up in extreme pain. The last one in TX came as he got speared by an opposing player (he was a keeper) and he was knocked unconscious- which we were not informed of at the time and went to cp's cheer comp right after...... Since moving he has done really well and has had no concussions....until this past October. He was in the middle of a game and his feet got tangled up with a striker and his head slammed in to the ground. He was immediately taken out of the game with dizziness and the need to throw up. We allowed him to finish watching his team, and he tried as hard as he could to play again but neither his coach nor the ref allowed it to happen. We took him in to the er- saw a PA and they said it was a "closed head injury" and he was cleared to train as long as there was no contact. Sent him to school that week and had to pick him up every day due to headache, ringing in the ears, etc.... took him back to the er where they diagnosed him as a grade 2 concussion......
The next week he had a follow up with his dr where she said he needs to be out of school until he could go a full day without a headache, no video games, no phones, nothing to stimulate his brain- to include school work. The entire time he kept going to practice and not participating- but as team captain he felt he needed to be there. The head coach (not his from his game) kept asking if he would be returning before the end of the season which was the end of November...... ummmmmmmmm nope, not until he is cleared medically. His dr was very reluctant to give him the green light but finally did 8 weeks later with the understanding that we had to get him some sort of safety gear. We got a skullcrate and he was able to start back in the state tournament a few weeks ago. This past weekend though he showed some great maturity. He had 2 headers and then he took himself out of the scrimmage. I was really concerned with his history but talked to him and he told me that they were already winning 3-0 so since he decided he didn't want to be taken out of the tournament because he made a poor choice in a scrimmage so he pulled himself.