Sierra Badgley’s Concussion Story
The Story
Growing up, soccer was my number one source of happiness. I’ve been playing since the age of 6 and I’ve never looked back. My position is striker. I’m up there by the net trying to shoot every second I get. Of course with that, comes risks. I got a few concussions here and there, but never anything life altering.
In August of 2014, I was in ATV accident. I drove my four-wheeler down the side of an embankment and sustained a concussion. It was a longer recovery than I was used to and I experienced different symptoms this time around. Again, wasn’t too life altering in the eyes of a 14 year old.
In October of 2015, all of the real trouble began. I was riding my dirt-bike in field when I hit a pothole and flew over the handlebars. I was knocked out unconscious, and when I woke up I was covered in blood, screaming for help.
Along with a very serious concussion, I sustained a shattered/fractured elbow, a broken nose and neck/spine injuries. I was driven to my local hospital where my injures turned out to be too serious for them to treat. I was taken by ambulance to a children’s hospital in the city. The same hospital that has treated me since birth for my rare bone disorder, called Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
After being discharged from the hospital, I came to realize nothing about my life was the same. It’s like when I hit the ground, the old me died and when I woke up, a new one was born. My personality changed entirely, I no longer acted like I used to. I was diagnosed with post concussion syndrome. It was a very difficult time for my family.
After missing only one soccer season, I went back. Keep in mind, I still was suffering from symptoms. Every symptom you know about. However, I wanted to play and nothing, nobody could stop me. I received my 7th concussion during a soccer practice that season. I was immediately taken to the ER.
It’s been 3 years since my accident. I’ve struggled a lot and continue to suffer from my symptoms. I’m on medication to help with my severe anxiety, depression and mood disorders. Nothing has been the same since that day. High school has been really difficult for me. I watched all my friends graduate last year, as I had to stay an extra year. I’m currently in my last semester of high school (finally), and bedsides everything going on with my brain, I got accepted into my top school of choice for physiotherapist & occupational therapist assistant. I continue to struggle with the smallest of tasks, but even though my life has changed drastically, I’m not giving up.
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