Just A Bump on The Head

"Its just a bump on the head"...."Wow, you really got your bell rung". How many times have we heard that in our lives, or perhaps said it to someone else?  But the death of actress Natasia Richadson on March 18th proves once again that even the most seemingly-minor accidents can have tragic outcomes.  She had been skiing over the weekend, took a spill and hit her head. At first she seemed unharmed, but within a few hours began exhibiting classic early signs of concussion.  However at that time no one knew just how severe.   Now her husband, actor Liam Neeson, is left a widower and two young sons motherless.   And this is far from an extraordinary circumstance. It could have been any of us on that ski slope. Or playing in the church softball league. Or simply driving to work.  There is no such thing as a 'minor' brain injury.  I learned this first-hand in 1992.  I was involved in a relatively minor multi-car accident while waiting at a traffic light.  At first I appeared unharmed, but within the hour I was slurring my speech and wandering aimlessly while dealing with an excruciating headache.  Diagnosis: severe closed-head injury -- a major concussion.  Thankfully prompt medical attention limited the swelling and much permanent damage, but still it was five weeks of hospitalization and in-patient rehabilitation, followed by years of lingering after-effects.  I share this not for my own 'pity party', but to serve as testimony that what appears to be a small incident can prove life-altering.  I urge you to take the moment to learn the warning signs of concussion. Please, if its your child, spouse, friend, or other loved one -- or yourself -- who suffers a blow to the head , watch for these signs and get prompt medical attention. No one likes an extra ER bill.  But I'm sure Ms. Richardsons family would give every penny they own to turn back times hands and perhaps save her life.   'Toughing out' a whack on the noggin' isn't being tough....its being stupid.