Unmarked Detour: Early Mistakes In Concussion Aftermath Prove Costly

In the first several weeks after her daughter Heidi suffered a sports concussion, admits Dorothy Bedford, at least three "dreadful" mistakes were made in managing the injury which delayed recovery:

• on Saturday morning, the day after her concussion, she was allowed to take a four-hour test at school, delaying the start of cognitive rest;
• when her concussion symptoms seemed to improve after a weekend mostly spent sleeping under her mom's watchful eye, she was alllowed to return to the classroom on Monday (against the advice of a concussion specialist); and
• after beginning the first of what would be three medical leaves of absence, she was allowed to travel with a friend to visit grandparents in Florida. The air travel, and a surprise trip to a theme park, only made matters worse.

For a companion article by Dorothy Bedford, click here.