Nearly 1000 first-year undergrads – about 100 York U Lions athletes and 900 kinesiology students – will have breakfast for their brains on Monday, Sept. 28. They will learn about concussion from a victim’s mother, a survivor, and a researcher.
“Breakfast for your Brain: Donald Sanderson Memorial Perspectives on Concussion,” now in its fifth year, is named after a York U student who died tragically after sustaining a concussion during a hockey game. His mother Dahna Sanderson will open the session by telling his story.
“Knowledge about concussion is important for students early in their university and athletic careers,” says Professor Lauren Sergio, event organizer and sports injury researcher in the Faculty of Health. “They may use this knowledge personally and professionally as many go on to careers in health and medical sciences.”
Brittney Enright-Blount, currently a student in the Athletic Therapy Certificate program, will also share her own experience with concussion. Four years ago, the former member of the York U varsity field hockey team and the National Field Hockey team was forced into early retirement due to a complicated knee injury. Less than two years later, Enright-Blount was in a car accident resulting in a concussion.
To conclude the session, Professor Frances Flint in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science will offer an overview of the signs and symptoms of concussion and the role of athletic therapists in diagnosing and treating injured athletes. She will also compare the psychological reactions to injury when recovering from musculo-skeletal injury and concussion.
The presentation will be offered during two sessions on Monday in Lecture Hall A, Lassonde Building, Keele campus. The first session runs from 8:30 to 9:30am, and the second from 9:30 to 10:30am.