Rejoining the World of Sports
 

So I am trying to participate in sports again after about five years. I am worried everything is going to come back because I still have headaches now and again. I have been participating in roller derby. Being part of a team feels amazing, but I already feel like it's almost too much for me to handle. Going to a practice leaves me exhausted for a week. It seems that my memory to recall things has gotten a little worse lately, and it scares me too. I don't know if I should continue. I also feel like a couple of my friends don't understand pcs and they wouldn't understand why I couldn't participate if I had to stop. They already don't understand that I need more sleep than them or I get headaches. They also don't understand that after a 40 hour week I need some down time to recover because they seem to plan something every weekend and get upset when I can't go to some of their plans.

I am kinda stuck...Any suggestions...

While I understand the desire to return to activities we used to enjoy, a prudent approach to recovery is to understand what we can or should do and what we shouldn’t. I’d certainly put roller derby in the latter category.

Just the practice leaves you exhausted. What happens when (not if, but when) you go down and hit your head and sustain another concussion? You state you are still having memory issues? Your next concussion will make this worse.

Don’t let this happen, look for a different activity with less risk of repeat injury.

You scare me. Returning to roller derby is high risk. Just practice with the jostling could be causing your symptoms.

Please try to find a sport with less risk of further head trauma.

My best to you.

Hi there,

It seems obvious that you should not be playing roller derby, but I can understand your hesitation. You feel good for the most part, playing roller derby is what you love to do, and you don't want to have to deal with however your teammates respond (because it's not going to feel great to go through that). I think these are all really good reasons to hesitate.

A few things you can consider:

1. The obvious risks of getting another concussion, sub-concussions, or a setback is something that you don't want in your life.

2. There are other activities that can be similarly fulfilling but in a different way; you'll have to find them. If it's possible, you can still participate somehow in roller derby culture, but find a different way to participate that doesn't put you at risk (For instance, organizing or doing some function at practice or game nights).

3. Be honest with your teammates. You could find that being honest is a way to respect yourself and your situation, and a way to find out how your friends respond. It can bring you closer to some, distant to others, and maybe surprise you because there might be a person or two who you didn't expect to understand. It'll probably be an enlightening experience.

So my humble suggestion is to honor your hesitation (know and be angry that you're situation is unfortunate) but then move on and feel great about making the right decision for yourself. Then, with your happy healthy brain and empowered self, watch as the pieces fall where they need to.

VB

Thank you for this. I start feeling like I can do anything I want. Sometimes I forget about the "bad" days. I'm not going to do it. It just puts too much stress on me. Thank you for your replies.