Brain Injury Charity Update
I was concussed twice as a rugby player. The first time I was knocked out by an opponent. I was carried off to the changing rooms where extraordinarily I undressed and then put my blazer and slacks. But instead of heading for the bar, I must have thought it was a good idea to have a bath because when the players came in from playing I was still in the bath with all my clothes on.
The second time I was tackled and my head hit the ground (it was September) and when I came round I had no idea where I was and why I was wearing my rugby jersey. I have recently been scanned and I am happy to report I have no brain injury. But that will not be the case for many others sportsmen and women. The burden of care on the NHS for those with dementia arising out of their playing days will be enormous.
Today, concussion is on every front and back page.
The NFL is all over the place with its strategy and allowing players to wear helmets which damage a opponent's head is simply not on.
The UK Army has reacted slowly to the number of soldiers who have been so seriously injured by the impact on their heads of the power of IEDs which explode under their feet or close by. Boxers, polo players, rugby and soccer participants need to start to think about what is happening to their head now not in forty years time.
This is why with Dr Mark Wilson, a consultant in Neurosurgery and pre-hospital care at Imperial NHS, I have been trying to raise the discussion about brain injuries in the NHS, with the Government and with leading global sports bodies.
We want to create the first world Brain Injury Charity which deals with Education, Policy, Leadership and Research. It would have as its focus the Armed Services, Sport and Civilian (e.g. car crashes and stabbings) injuries.
Do contact me on derekwyatt@aol.com if you would like to support us.