Actually, Hovda had little to do with the NFL finally recognizing concussion as an issue. The alarm was sounded first by Robert Cantu, M.D. in Boston and Julian Bailes, M.D. in W Virginia. The Sport Legacy Institute was founded on the basis of the combined input of Cantu and a pathologist in Boston who first observed CTE, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Dr Cantu was trying to sound the alarm well over 20 years ago. It has been an uphill battle for 20 years with team doctors straddling the fence between the team owners and the players.

The research into soccer related concussion issues goes back to the 70's.

It was not until some big lawsuits that the tide started to change. That combined with the publicizing of some suicides of players brought the issue to the public.

It is sad and maybe criminal to see the way CDC, NIH, NFL, NHL, NCAA, and others have tried to deny the long term risks of concussion.

The best research was done in the 70's by Dorothy Gronwall, et. al. but was ignored even when she repeated it and republished her findings in the 1990's.

We still have a long way to go. The players are stronger and faster and the hits are harder. Even air bags are not preventing concussions like needed.

But, the momentum is starting to build. We just need to keep it going by promoting the good concussion doctors and refuting the concussion quacks.

Well, my focusing is getting better, but then I got a virus that caused coughing fits. It didn't help my head at all. Stalled the slow progress I was making. Still can't multitask, which really is odd for me, but at least I can focus almost consistently on one thing for the most part. I am still very sensitive to medium to high light contrasts and too much activity around me. In the last few weeks I have had two major adrenaline rushes. One happened when someone got in my face and started arguing with me and the other one a week later was for no reason whatsoever. The fight or flight instinct kicked in and was leaning towards fight, which is not me at all unless I am really mad, but I have never been in a fist fight. They last about 2-3 hours and result in a hangover type headache. Other times I am ambivalent to the point of not even caring what test results are.
The waves of pain have stopped, but the point of impact throbs when I get stressed and or tired. A sort of clinching headache follows. Still have "the bees" most of the time.
Thanks for listening and not thinking I am crazy. It's hard for some people to understand.

MaryinIA,

You should not be trying to multi-task. It is too stressful on the brain. Research shows that multi-tasking is not healthy for an uninjured brain. It causes strain and stresses that fatigue the brain and can lead to depression or other mental strains.

I have never regained my ability to multi-task.

Good to hear you have been able to avoid getting into trouble when people get in your face. A simple solution is to turn and walk away. It will help you avoid the relapse of symptoms from the outbursts.

Tell us more about your struggles. We are here to help.

My best to you.