How did your head injury occur?
I've had two in the past year. In Sept. the girl tried to jump over me & knocked me down. I hit my head & then later I was kicked in my head. I was back in the game a week later. In March I headed the ball lightly then fell & hit my head. I played the next day under the sun. I've been out since then
Describe any immediate first aid treatment
I had no immediate first aid treatment. Not by my coach, my parents, my friends, the refs, or anyone. It was scary. The first one was worse because we didn't know what was wrong. But the second one we immediately called to get an appt. with the doctor.
Describe any long-term follow up care
Long term follow up care? Well I visit with the doctor every now and then. She makes sure that I'm okay and it's really good. My parents are constantly watching to make sure I'm not different or I don't hurt myself. Friends and extended family are there for me and are always praying for everything.
When did you return to sports?
Well considering I've had two it differs. In September I went back in a week. And I can tell you I was not ready. I got on that soccer field and was dizzy but I kept going because I love it. This last one I just got back into sports. But I'm not competing yet. I'm working my way up slowly and it's been great. So it's been four months and I'm still not fully back.
How has your game changed since the injury?
My game and my life has changed numerously. I'm like a new person. My moods can vary and I more thankful then anything. I'm happy that I got the experience because it helped me make decisions I needed to make about the game of soccer and my future as a person and a player. As a player I decided that soccer was where I wanted to be all the time. As a person I've decided that my future is in God's hands and he will make soccer apart of it if it's for the best. I truly and honestly believe that. Now when I get on the field I have a smile all the time and you can truly see that I love the game of soccer and no one or nothing can change that.
What I'd Do Differently
- There are so many things I would do differently. I wouldn't have played through it. I wouldn't have blamed it on people. I wouldn't have gone right back into soccer. Honestly I wouldn't changed what has happened to me for the world. I'm glad that I got this experience to share my immediate pain and horror that I endured. It's crazy. But something I would change more and more is how I dealt with it. I wish I would of prayed more and used God as my rock and my salvation. And put my concussion in God's hands.
