More Than a Concussion
Jaxson Moon, a professional snowboarder has always been good at snowboarding, but he was taking a gap year to get even better and try to get on the US team. During this time he was traveling the world to Switzerland, California, Utah, Vermont, and getting points to secure his US team spot. He was the first alternate for the US team meaning if he competed in one more World Cup next year, he would have a US team spot.
On February 17, his life would change forever. Going back to February 16 the day prior Jackson and his friends Leo, Eric, Dom, and Walker had been talking about the next day.
Now it was Jaxson’s birthday. It was gonna be a perfect jump day, but Leo was the only one that had school off so Jackson, and Leo headed up to the hill at 9 AM to go hit 55 Hylands biggest jump. Leo was already popping back double tens 15 minutes into the session. Jaxson was getting excited. It was his birthday and he throws front double 12 tail and under rotates by 30° catching his toe edge and slamming his face into the ground.
Jaxson didn’t wake up for 20 days after that he had a seizure on the hill. For the first five days, people weren’t sure if he was going to wake up. After 20 days and he was awake, he had to relearn how to walk again, he had to relearn how to throw a ball, and had to go to physical therapy for months. But that next season Jaxson was back at Troll a couple of days after opening day he had said that he wanted Highland to be his opening day, but he couldn’t wait to go snowboard again he went he tried to compete again, but it lost his competitive drive after hitting his head now, he coaches for Lake superior freestyle team in Duluth, Minnesota and is going to college at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Seconds of Darkness
Eric and his football team are on the bus going to Forest Lake on a Tuesday night for their football game. The bus is a little loud for his liking but that’s normal. Eric was the guy people counted on to make the plays when they needed someone to show up. He had had a good warm-up and on the first drive the defense gets a four in out and in the second defensive drive of the game, Eric had a big tackle to stop a touchdown coming over from his safety spot traversing the field.
The third defensive drive of the game for Minnetonka Eric was playing a different position at strong-side outside backer or star is what Minnetonka called it. Eric gets sent on a blitz and misses the tackle. Next play he does his assignment but does not make a play. The ball was run to the opposite side. Third down ERIC was on another blitz he missed the tackle again. Coach Gurley calls a timeout during the timeout, ERIC remembers him saying what are you doing or something along those lines they break the huddle down and say brown and blitz both backers but only ERIC blitz. ERIC cuts inside the puller who is supposed to block him and catches up to the quarterback. He goes to throw him down and can’t and his head whips back into the ground.
Eric sees darkness but feels his feet above his head. His feet hit the ground, and he can see again that all his teammates are running up to him and hyping him up. Spencer runs up and hits his head. They all run off the field, and ERIC looks at his coaches and says, “I hit my head.” They say, “Okay, sit down.”
The trainer came over to test Eric
for a concussion and asked him, “When is your next game?” Eric said, “Tomorrow.” Because he was a swing player, the trainer said, “OK, we’re gonna keep you out of this game.” Talk to your trainer tomorrow about what you should do.
Eric goes to his trainer and gets tested and doesn’t score high enough to pass the concussion test. His head was throbbing and for the next three weeks, all Eric is doing is going to school, going to football practice, and laying in his bed with no lights on in complete darkness. All he could remember was praying and realizing that all he had was God and Jesus. It felt like everything had been swept away from under his feet.
During the time lying in his bed with no lights, Eric learned how important his life was to him and to always protect his head. But still, gives his all to what he is doing, learning through all the pain how important and precious his sports are to him. During this time he realized what it meant to give something your all and not have regrets because he did have regrets and didn’t believe he gave his all to football or his teammates.
Simple Actions to Protect Your Brain
- Wear a helmet: Wearing a helmet that properly fits you and that is certified while playing sports will protect your brain. Replacing this helmet after taking a major blow to the head will help protect your brain also.
- Buckle up: While you are in the car car crashes are a major reason why people get concussions. When you buckle up you lower the risk of head injury.
- Equipment and Technique: Using the proper technique and having the proper equipment to protect yourself is key to staying safe on the fields.
- Staying physically active: Working out and having good balance helps you avoid falling and getting into a situation that can cause a head injury.
- Education: Raising awareness about brain injury can help prevent it. When you learn the symptoms they can help themselves and you can help another person if they are showing symptoms.
- Driving safe: When you drive safely and activity, keeping your eyes moving to prevent looking at the same thing.
- Eye Exams: Good vision is key. Not having good vision will cause you to fall and have the possibility of hitting your head.
- Hydrated: Staying hydrated is a big way to prevent concussions. This helps your reaction time and also keeps your balance on point.
- Medication: Beware of the medication that you’re taking and how it affects you. Medication can make you dizzy and fall.
- Water: When swimming or diving be mindful of the water and how when you hit flat water it feels like concrete which your brain hits you skull because of the rapid stopping of motion.
