My first concussion was at 8 years old. Fell down a flight of hardwood stairs at our new home in Nashua. Had never live upstairs before. Socks and hardwood do not work. The fall was not bad. The sudden stop at the bottom left me with an egg on my noggin.

A year and a half later, fell racing down a hill on my 2nd cousins bike in Goffstown NH. Hospital for 3 days until I could talk without slurring my words. My mother lost her sweet little boy after that due to the personality change. I lost all of my friends at school except for one.

A year later I was assaulted by a girl who was 2 years older than me. She pummeled my head and left serious marks. I was working the summer picking beans in Hollis NH and she decided to pick on me.

Headed the ball for 4 seasons of soccer with no real problems until sophomore year of high school. 1970 I dropped from a 93% ave to 87% (percent grades, not letters) Developed a minor seizure disorder (petit mal/absence) that was controlled with phenytoin (Dilantin) that was replaced with phenobarbitoal for 2 years.

1974, College, severe fever (106+) left me with symptoms similar to concussion. Vertical concussion from jumping down from some rocks at the beach into water and landing with my knees locked on packed sand. Broke some ribs and concussed by brain. Almost flunked one class (too me a flunk was a D. I was in the freshman honors program) Abandoned goal of dental school and started my first of many successful businesses.

1981, Major stress event (ripped off by developed for $300,000) brought back my PCS symptoms like a storm. I could not think straight. Lost weight. Looked gaunt. Doc started me on vitamin and supplements regimen. I was back to normal in 8 weeks just in time for the birth of my second child and first daughter. .

1996, stood up under a solid beam. Had to lay on the ground for 10 minutes before I could function.

1999. Assaulted with a slug to the head from behind as I walked away from a person who was not finished arguing with me. Another personality change.

2001, stepped off a 8-9 inch curb and landed with my knee locked and my back arched. Jarred my pelvis to my brain. Changed my life. Developed severe Central Sleep Apnea. I would get overwhelmed trying to drive if I had to watch too many directions at once.

I had a few near missed driving alone then, my wife observed my driving and I fessed up to the near missed.

I have a total of 14 events in my journal before my memory went. Most were very minor. Just a momentary dazed feeling. None from sports since i quit soccer in 1970. I did skateboard in my early 20's when skate parks became popular. Still have my old school board and helmet. 1977 vintage Simms board, Simms Pure Juice wheels and Tracker trucks.

I learned new coping skills many times along the way. Many who claim they are 100% recovered after a prolonged recovery actual have a 80% recovery with the rest of their recovery due to learning work-arounds and coping skills.

So, there is my concussion history. Raised 3 successful kids. Married 36 years. Sole wage earner living in expensive Silicon Valley until 2000. Made adjustments along the way.

Anybody who is afraid their life is over needs to consider what they CAN do to move forward. There are thousands like me who have.