Rowan’s Law Day will remind everyone of the dangers of concussions

BY CHARLES TATOR 

SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL

PUBLISHED WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018

Charles Tator is the director of the Canadian Concussion Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Toronto and a board member of Parachute Canada.

Today in Ontario is the first Rowan’s Law Day – a day to remind us that concussions are important, and that this invisible injury can be managed better than it was in 2013 when Rowan Stringer, at the age of 17, died after suffering multiple concussions in a short span from playing rugby.

Her parents, Kathleen and Gordon Stringer, are true Canadian heroes for stepping up and saying enough young people have lost their lives or lost their normally functioning brains because of concussions. They are saying: “Tell your teacher, tell your coach, tell your parents.”

Today and every last Wednesday in September, teachers, coaches, school principals and sports league administrators in Ontario will have the opportunity to remind young people about telltale signs of concussions, such as headaches, dizziness, light and sound sensitivity or 60 other possible symptoms that may indicate that you need to take yourself out, or be taken out, of the game or practice and get checked by a medical doctor.

Rowan’s Law Day will remind everyone that it is the law now to teach and learn about this injury and to “Sit Them Out” after a suspected concussion. It will be a reminder that not only players, parents, teachers and coaches, but everyone connected with sports is on the concussion recognition team to be on the lookout for this potential killer. Treatment is also a team sport, requiring a range of health-care professionals to manage it expertly...

Read Full Article: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-we-need-a-national-reminder-day-about-concussions/

The OATA is in full support of the Petition for Rowan's Law and stands with MPP Lisa Macleod's on the Coroner's Request Recommendations on Concussions. As Ontario's concussion experts we agree whether its Return to Learn, Work or Play, the issue of concussion identification, treatment and monitoring is one we are proud to address.

Learn all about Rowan's Law and Rowan's story at rowanslaw.ca.