Survivor Stories
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Shelby's Story: High Rates of Head Injury Lead to National Rule Change in High School Cheerleading
During a practice her junior year, Shelby, a competitive high school cheerleader, sustained a concussion when the side of her head collided with her teammate’s while performing a “double down.”
Traumatic Brain Injury in Sports: A Father’s Story
Zack Lystedt’s parents learned about the seriousness of TBI after their son had already sustained one. “I never knew how serious it could be. I want the message to get out there. [Parents] need to know what to look for and that it can be a life-changing event.” — Victor Lystedt, Zack’s father.
Coach Saves a Wrestler’s Life by Knowing Concussion Signs and Symptoms (Cole’s Story)
One of the biggest problems in keeping pre-teen or teenage athletes off of the field—or in this case the mat—after they’ve been injured is that they’re at an age where they often feel “invincible.”
Read a CDC 24/7 article on Cole's Story: CDC Heads Up! Concussion Training Saved My Life! Learn how CDC’s online coaches' training helped a coach to recognize and respond to concussion in a young athlete.
Concussions Can Affect Kids and Teens in the Classroom (Sarah’s Story)
As an A-student and star soccer player, Sarah is accustomed to hard work. However, after she sustained a concussion during a varsity soccer game, her freshman year in high school she found herself taking on a new challenge.
The Lystedt Law: A Concussion Survivor's Journey (Zack's Story)
Although most people with a concussion fully recover, for some the effects of this injury can last weeks, months or longer. Concussions, a type of traumatic brain injury, are all serious. That is why the choices we make immediately following a concussion can decide life or death or whether an injured athlete will see a full recovery and return to play. The state of Washington stepped in to help make this choice clearer for coaches, parents and athletes.
Keeping Quiet Can Keep You Out of the Game (Tracy's Story)
As a high school basketball player, Tracy sustained two concussions within a short period of time. Tracy tells her story and emphasizes that concussions are a serious injury.
Athletes should know that if they think they've had a concussion, don't hide it, report it. Take time to recover. It's better to miss one game than the whole season.
Watch to Learn More about Tracy's Story
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