It’s Safe Kids Week and this year’s focus is on concussions in children.  There has been some much needed attention to brain injuries recently because of Sydney Crosby’s concussions. I’m glad to see that he has recovered, but not without many struggles. His experience has actually helped me become more educated on concussions and a better trainer for my daughter’s hockey team.

Concussions are very worrisome, because you can’t see them! You don’t see the swelling or the bruising… and kids have a hard time describing their symptoms. It can be simply an “I feel weird”.

There was more than one concussion on my daughter’s team this year, and the girls that suffered the head injuries wanted to return to hockey immediately. They loved the sport and wanted to return full force. However, as adults in their lives, we need to be cautious and follow the return to play guidelines. A second brain injury when the 1^st one has not fully healed can be disastrous and prolong the recovery. This will not only affect their activities but their learning abilities and school work.

Concussions – or more simply put, brain injuries – can happen not only in hockey, but from getting a ball to the head in soccer or simply falling off a swing. Dr. Mike Evans has a great video for kids to help them understand why concussions need to be taken seriously.  Sit down and watch it together… “your brain is everything you have”.

So the next time your child has a head injury, err on the side of caution. Kids will get over missing a few weeks of their activity. They only have one brain.

Read Cynthia’s Bio…

For more info on concussions or safe kids week, or to share your experience, there are many ways you can talk to one of us directly:

• Leave us a comment below – we’d love your feedback
• Talk to us on Twitter: @haltonparents
• Email us at haltonparents@halton.ca
• Call the HaltonParents line for parenting information or to speak directly to a Public Health Nurse (every Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Simply dial 311 or 905-825-6000.