Coaches and parents involved with youth soccer club MC United met at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau Thursday to discuss the importance of concussion awareness and treatment.
Jessica Wurz is a soccer mom. Her son plays for the MC United Club in Wausau. Like many parents, she's concerned about her son's safety on the field. For Wurz, peace of mind comes in knowing all the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
"I still believe it's very important that I know the right questions to ask him, what signs I'm looking for, if it is effecting him and I might not be aware," Wurz told NewsChannel 7.
Coaches agree, saying parents play a crucial role in concussion prevention, identification and treatment.
"We don't know the kids nearly as well as the parents do and a lot of times symptoms of concussions don't manifest themselves immediately," Wausau East High School Girls Soccer Coach David Welles explained.
To make sure your star player doesn't wind up in the hospital, every parent and player is required to sign a form acknowledging they have read about and understand all the signs and symptoms of a concussion. These symptoms include dizziness, slurred speech and changes in behavior. Symptoms can be long or short term, with the average recovery time estimated at four to six weeks.
"Rest is very key. So don't be watching tons of TV. Don't be playing with that cell phone or hanging out with a loud group of friends. See a physician," Aspirus Outpatient Therapist Megan Stankowski advised reminding that, "Now with Act 172 you need to be cleared by an athletic trainer, physician, some medical personnel as well."
"Now that there is a more established procedure, I think that's to everybody's benefit because it doesn't leave anything to chance and it doesn't leave anything to discretion," Coach Welles said.
So as the saying goes, when in doubt pull them out.
