Ken Dryden saw firsthand the devastating effects of concussion injuries during his illustrious National Hockey League career.
Now he is helping to facilitate a discussion in Guelph between athletes, coaches, medical professionals and parents on the seriousness of head injuries to help create a community plan focused on prevention and management to keep athletes of all ages, in all Sports, safe.
On Feb. 19, Dryden will host a concussion symposium, open to all members of the community.
It will feature a guest panel of experts on concussion management, from athletes and coaches to medical professionals and school board representatives.
“Some of the stories I hope will give people a perspective on the reality of concussions,” said Jacqueline Sinkeldam, a registered physiotherapist and partner in Eramosa Physiotherapy Associates who is one of the experts taking part in the discussion panel.
“Hopefully people will be able to hear from the athletes. They will hear both the positive and the negative.” She added both sides represent an opportunity to change the way concussions are managed.
“When you look at the panel we’ve brought together, it isn’t just about hockey,” said Sinkeldam. “There is a soccer professional and a mountain-bike rider.”
She believes people will learn interesting perspectives from specialists such as Can Child’s Carol DeMatteo and pediatric concussion specialist Dr. Laura Purcell.
“We have assembled good experts from the field of medicine,” she said.
In her work as a physiotherapist, Sinkeldam sees the effects of concussive injuries.
“Physio has a role in helping people return to physical activity,” she said, although she noted helping people recover is not just about Sports injuries – it’s about “life beyond sport.”
“We have a big role to play in educating our clients,” in helping them determine how to move forward and what to expect when recovering from a concussion, she said.
“It’s not just about getting an athlete back to the sport. The first step is obviously, for young athletes to get back to school,” she said.
Dr. Lynn Woodford will represent the Upper Grand District School Board and Robert Furfaro will represent the Wellington Catholic District School Board. They will offer input on their respective policies.
“If we’re going to manage concussions successfully we’re going to have to think outside the injury,” Sinkeldam said, noting that determining the cognitive abilities post-concussion is the challenge.
“The management of concussions is hard to measure. There are no diagnostic tools.”
Instead, she said it is a matter of waiting the concussion out. While rest is key, Sinkeldam notes it is difficult to establish a formal plan of recovery.
“It’s about finding the balance, before a patient returns to school or work,” said Sinkeldam, noting some “thinking activities” can be a challenge for a period after a concussion injury.
“There isn’t a grading to determine the severity of a concussion. The grading system that existed has been totally thrown out the window.
“We don’t always know when someone can return to their activities.”
“Ken Dryden wants people that are affected by concussions, including athletes and the people who work with them in the medical profession, but also the policy makers,” said Sinkeldam. “These are the people that can really make changes.”
Given their unique perspective, OHL referee Dustin McCrank and Guelph Minor Hockey referee Rick Allsop have been added to the panel.
“Their influence is beneficial because they see it [concussions] from the other end of the game,” said Sinkeldam.
Policy makers are vital to the discussion of the symposium, because they are the voice of change, said Sinkeldam.
“We see the biggest impact is when the rules and regulations of sport are changed.”
Also joining Dryden on the guest panel are Guelph Minor Hockey’s concussion committee chair Mike Gatto and Minor Bantam coach Andy deGroot; Guelph Storm coach Scott Walker, general manager Mike Kelly and athletic therapist Lori Stevenson; University of Guelph’s Women’s Hockey coach Rachel Flanagan, Guelph Men’s Hockey coach Shawn Camp and athletic therapist Gunner Obrascovs; physicians Dr. Margo Mountjoy and Dr. Patti Galvin; University of Guelph researcher James Murphy; and health and performance physiotherapist Brett Lyons.
The concussion symposium will take place at the Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre, 50 Stone Road West, on Feb. 19 at 7pm.
Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Seating is limited. To RSVP, contact 519-767-5011 ext. 1 or concussions@uoguelph.ca.
