Sports Concussion - About SportsConcussions.org and Jean Rickerson Editor

Matthew Newman's long journey...

Raising a precocious son is challenging for most parents, but that was the one trait that Randy and Marla Newman used as their guide in gauging the recovery of their 17 year-old son, Matthew. After suffering a head injury during a high school football game in early September 2009, they wondered for months if what makes him “him” would ever return. Four months later, they see glimpses of the boy he used to be.

One of the popular kids with a life full of friends, school, and sports, Matthew was excited the day of the first home game. Out the previous season due to knee surgery, he was anxious to prove himself on the field, both as starting quarterback and safety. He did not disappoint. There were no indications that something was amiss as the game went into overtime, perhaps not even to Matthew. But no one will likely ever know, as he has no recollection of the majority of the game or for that matter, the next few weeks.

Matthew collapsed on the field as he made his way over to the sideline to get the coach’s instructions for the next play. As he lay absolutely motionless in the grass, it wasn’t immediately obvious what had happened. There was no big hit, no contact that left everyone waiting to see if he would get up. Looking back, his family was left to wonder if a hard hit he took in the opening play of the game caused his injury and it just took a while for it to affect him, was it the result of a series of smaller hits, or was it the fact that he may have been playing with a headache from a previous concussion?

No matter the cause, Matthew was in serious trouble. Thankfully, a trauma team had assembled at the hospital and was awaiting his arrival, as his swelling brain required immediate surgery. It would be days before they would know if he would make it.

Fast forward through the next agonizing months and the seven surgeries, the infection that almost took his life again, and the realization that yes, maybe he could be home for the start of the new year. Those thoughts became part of the conversation around Thanksgiving, when Matthew started shooting Nerf basketball and rubber arrows at the nurses. Some of those annoying little traits he’d had before were suddenly a source of joy.

Finally home, Matthew spends his days in physical therapy where he works to regain his normal gait and restore his upper body strength, adding both weight and muscle to his 6’2” frame. A tutor will help him catch up with his classwork beginning next week, and he hopes to attend school as soon as he can. He misses his friends.

As for the family’s healing process, Matthew is helping them now, as much as they’re helping him. Mom Marla says, “ He appreciates life, his family, and friends, more than anyone I know. He reminds us everyday how lucky we are to be together. Matthew has lessons to teach us all.”

We’re listening.

Note: Dirk Knudsen, Editor of Washington & OregonPreps.com started a campaign to raise awareness about Matthew’s injury entitled, “Raise7 for Matthew”. This amazing effort reached athletes as far away as Japan and New Zealand. Matthew’s Aunt Michelle has played an integral role in this campaign as well. Click on the Raising 7 for Matthew logo for more information.

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