Once Olympic-Bound Athlete and Traumatic Brain Injury Sufferer is Out to Make the World of Youth Athletic Sports Safer
Bend, OR (PRWEB) February 10, 2014 -- Post-Concussion Syndrome and Traumatic Brain Injury aren't just ailments of modern day sports gladiators, such as NFL players Junior Seau and Ryan Freel. The story that does not necessarily make headlines is that every day more and more youth athletes are suffering from the irrevocable life changing injuries that a little education and a little time out could have prevented. Jenna’s Law enacted in Oregon on January 1, 2014 is setting out to rewrite that story, see takingitheadon.com to read the story.
In the midst of the 22nd Winter Olympics, Jenna Sneva, an aspiring Olympic downhill skier and national gold medalist, can’t quite wrap her head around the thought that she will never ski again. Her doctors, including SuperBowl Champions Seattle Seahawk’s team physician Dr. Stan Herring and OHSU’s Dr. James Chesnutt, who specializes in Concussion Management, told Jenna if she were to hit her head again she could be paralyzed, and maybe even die.
After many years of debilitating pain, profound depression and a dedication that only an athlete could conjure, Jenna is leading the charge on making youth sports safer. If Jenna, her family and coaches knew then what they know now, maybe Jenna would be preparing for her Olympic dreams in Sochi. She wants to make sure that no one else has to choose between their dreams and causing themselves permanent injury and maybe even death.
Jenna’s motto, for kids: “It's not worth playing on a concussion. It's not worth hiding. You need medical help. You get a concussion, you're out three weeks. I'm out the rest of my life because I didn't go get help.”
And even after everything she has been through, Jenna still encourages youth to participate in sports: “There's such a social component. They bring out leaders, inspire teamwork, problem solving. I advocate sports. But I also advocating sitting out.”
With the help of many, Jenna’s Law went into effect January 1, 2014. Jenna’s nationwide mission is just beginning, but just like on the slopes, nothing is going to slow her down.
About Jenna’s Law – Oregon Senate Bill 721
SB721 was signed into law on June 24, 2013, enacted on January 1, 2014 and will be from here on known as Jenna's Law in honor of Jenna Sneva.
Young athletes in school sanctioned sports programs in Oregon were being protected under a similar law. But until Jenna's law took effect there was no protection for club sports athletes. Jenna sustained most of her 12 concussion injuries while participating in club sports be it soccer or snow skiing. To learn more about Jenna’s Law, please click here.
About Taking It Head On
Taking It Head On, The Story of Jenna Sneva is a youth based outreach project looking to spread the word on playing smart, competing strong, and staying healthy. We share Jenna's story in order to educate on the seriousness of head and brain injuries. If Jenna wasn't interested in being more than just her story she wouldn't bother, but she really wants you to hear her story and share it. To learn more, please visit our site or our Facebook page.
Catrina Sneva, Taking It Head On, http://www.takingitheadon.com, +1 (520) 288-9192, [email protected]
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