One of the biggest fears for any athlete is a blow to the head, causing a concussion. That’s a traumatic brain injury that can affect the brain’s function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination. One is bad enough. But imagine having three. That’s what happened to Luke Nelson, a Shawnee Mission West baseball player.
Luke was diving for a ball in center field and collided with a teammate…which also caused a big gash on his lip. They treated his lip in the emergency room, not realizing he’d suffered a concussion…his third one in his athletic career. It wasn’t till he was back in school the next week that he began to feel dizzy, disoriented and had trouble reading. That’s when Dr. David Smith, with the Sports Medicine and Performance Center at The University of Kansas Health System, diagnosed the problem, and immediately contacted Luke’s coach and the school with a plan. His teachers and coaches were able to give him three weeks of limited activity and homework, in order to let his brain heal.
In the video, Dr. David Smith says when it comes to brain injuries, timing is critical. He says it may take three days before symptoms of a concussion begin to appear. He says the more concussions somebody has, the longer it takes the brain to recover each time. And he says it’s especially important for academic and physical accommodations to allow the athlete’s brain time to recover.
Also in the video is Luke Nelson, who talks about his experience, and what having the concussion felt like. He says he’s glad the doctor wanted to play it safe. Luke’s mother, Shari Nelson, is also on the video. She says she was more worried about Luke’s school work than the sports, since he’s taking advanced classes. She’s grateful for the quick diagnoses and the response from the school in giving Luke’s brain the time to heal.
Also included is video of Luke receiving The University of Kansas Health System’s Athlete of the Month award at Kauffman Stadium, and pictures of him playing baseball.
