CHAPTER 1
What Will You See?
In everyone's life there will be many challenges that draw forth the question, "Why?" There will be a time when you engage your life in something that deteriorates your body and mind, leaving you in the darkest place imaginable. At this point you can truly see who people really are and what their true characters are. When they are at the bottom of the roller coaster that is life, and they look up at the altitudinous structure, will they see paradise at the peak through the fog and obstacles? Will they do everything in their power to get there one day? Or will they be unable to see through the fog and shadows, staying at the bottom until the inevitable complete and utter blindness happens, losing them in darkness forever?
Concussions sent me plunging down that roller coaster of life, to the point where I could barely see through the fog. For those who don't know, a concussion is a brain injury and is defined as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by biomechanical forces. Several common features that incorporate clinical, pathological and biomechanical injury constructs that may be utilised in defining the nature of a concussive head injury include:
- Concussion may be caused by either a direct blow to the head, face, neck or elsewhere on the body with an "impulsive" force transmitted to the head;
- Concussion typically results in the rapid onset of short-lived impairment of neurological function that resolves spontaneously. However, in some cases, symptoms and signs may evolve over a number of minutes to hours;
- Concussion may result in neuropathological changes but the acute clinical symptoms largely reflect a functional disturbance rather than a structural injury, and as such, no abnormality is seen on standard structural neuroimaging studies;
- Concussion results in a graded set of clinical symptoms that may or may not involve loss of consciousness. Resolution of the clinical and cognitive symptoms typically follows a sequential course. However, it is important to note that in some cases symptoms may be prolonged.
In America alone there is an estimated 4-5 million concussions occurring each year, costing Americans more than $60 billion each year. That means that every 21 seconds, one person in the United States sustains a Traumatic Brain Injury. In the National Hockey League, $42.8 million dollars in wages are lost per year due to concussions. An astonishing 50% of "second impact syndrome" incidents—brain injury caused from premature return to activity after suffering initial concussion—result in death and what is significantly more mind blowing is that 47% of athletes do not report their concussion symptoms!
"The number of concussions occurring is many times the number reported," said Dr. Scott Delaney, the 2010 recipient of the Dr. Tom Pashby Award for contributions to the prevention of catastrophic sports injuries.
"Some studies have said 90 per cent of concussions go unreported."
In Canada, hockey produces the largest number of concussions among young athletes. It has been reported that physicians see at least one concussion a day come into the emergency room.
My name is Spencer Edward Jean. I was born on October 21, 1990, in Windsor, Ontario. I was an athlete growing up. I played every sport imaginable and was typically very good at all of them. I was a fierce competitor in every aspect in my life, whatever the case was, I desired to win. I always envisioned myself as superior than everyone else. I had a strong personality and was invariably the loudest person in the room. I was a hard worker, working for everything I accomplished, and because I worked so hard, everything always ended up in my favour. I had a great childhood with the best parents and family I could have ever asked for. I was brought up with the mentality of never giving up, being the best and strongest person I could be and never being thought of as a quitter.
Paul, my father, is a sergeant for the Windsor Police. He has always been there for me in every way possible, whether that be as a parent, inspiration, friend or advisor. He is always busy "doing something", but he habitually makes time for me; I always come first. He's one of those guys everyone respects and everyone knows. He is very calm and laid back, but at the same time he works hard for everything he achieves in his life. He's a pretty hard guy to read and can read everyone perfectly, I guess that's why he excels at his job. He's one of the toughest guys and biggest kids I know. He taught me a lot growing up, from working on cars, to building things, all the way to life lessons. He is a man of many trades. Everyone always says that I have developed the same multi-disciplinary skill set from him; in which, benefits my life and everyone in it on a day to day basis.
Karen, my mother, is a branch manager at TD Canada Trust. She's one of the most intelligent and beautiful people I've ever met. She works long shifts at the bank then spends countless hours taking care of our family. She gets me anything I ever need. To say the least, she spoils me. She is one of those moms that think of all my friends as sons. She will do anything for them. I don't think anyone has more love in her heart then her, but if you get on her bad side she can be the devil. She has that animalia mother instinct that makes her very protective of me. She was always the disciplinary parent. We have had our battles over the years but that's only because we think so much alike. I always go to her for advice and I always value her opinions.
Madison, my sister, is the most warm-hearted person I know. She cares about everyone and always puts her needs second to others. I put Maddy through a lot growing up and through my concussion issues, but she always wanted to be around me. She always cared about me and put me first. I'm very protective of her and she knows that. She's the little sister that all my friends call their own. She does everything I ask her. She sacrificed a lot in her childhood in order for me to achieve my dreams. She missed school, her own sports, hanging out with friends, just so I could go on baseball and hockey tournaments. I owe her a lot. She is an amazing person.
Academically I was an "A" student in grade school, high school and...
