Luke Workman

ENGL 1213

Beth Hammett

Project 1

March 12, 2023

Word Count: 1,473

Curing Concussions

Sports concussions can be deadly, the only way to stop this social epidemic in its tracks is to inform people of the risks. Sports concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can occur when a person experiences a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Concussions can occur in any sport, but they are most common in contact sports such as football, hockey, and soccer. Many TBIs actually go unnoticed, and the effects of a concussion can range from mild to severe. Mild concussions may cause headaches, dizziness, and confusion, while more severe concussions can lead to loss of consciousness, amnesia, and even death. Knowing what steps to take in order to protect oneself from this epidemic is vital. It is important to take those necessary steps to prevent sports TBIs as they often lead to many serious repercussions and could help solve the concussion epidemic.

Getting TBIs checked out by a doctor is very important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, even if you believe that it could be minute. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that occur when someone experiences a blow to the head that usually causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. This sudden movement can cause the brain to stretch and tear the delicate nerve fibers that connect the brain cells, resulting in a concussion. The most common cause of concussions is a direct blow to the head, such as a fall, a car accident, or a sports-related injury. However, they can also be caused by a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly, such as a whiplash-type motion. In some cases, a person may experience one without any direct impact to the head, such as when a person experiences a sudden acceleration or deceleration, like in a car accident. Concussions can range in severity from mild to severe, depending on the force of the impact and the individual’s medical history. Mild concussions usually cause temporary confusion, dizziness, and headaches, while more severe concussions can cause loss of consciousness, memory loss, and even permanent brain damage if not treated properly. This is why it is so imperative that everybody go to the doctor to get checked out, it could save your life. The recovery process for a concussion can vary from person to person. Generally, it is recommended that a person rest and avoid activities that could cause further injury. It is also important to keep track of symptoms and report any changes to a doctor. A doctor may recommend medications to help with symptoms, such as pain relievers or anti-nausea medications. In an article a scientist explains how a professional wrestler ended up killing his wife and kid and himself says that “Several months after the murders, however, researchers studying Benoit's brain came to a different conclusion. Benoit's murderous actions were likely a result of severe brain damage caused by repeated concussions and blows to the head.” (“Professional Wrestling”)

It is important for athletes to be aware of the potential effects of a concussion, and to take steps to prevent them. This includes wearing the proper protective gear, following the rules of the sport, and avoiding dangerous activities. Athletes should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of a concussion and should seek medical attention if they experience any of them. Sports concussions can have serious and long-term effects on athletes. It is important for athletes to be aware of the potential risks, and to take steps to prevent them. By taking the proper precautions, athletes can help to ensure that they stay safe and healthy while participating in sports. If a person has a concussion, it is important to rest and avoid activities that could worsen the injury. This includes activities such as physical exertion, contact sports, and activities that require concentration, such as reading or using a computer. It is also important to avoid alcohol and drugs, as these can worsen the symptoms of a concussion. In an article made just last year surrounding the topic of sport injuries in high school, they had this to say about how concussions can affect an athlete in the long run “Playing contact sports sometimes results in concussions, critics point out, and such injuries, they charge, can lead to serious problems later in life.” (“High School Sports Injuries”)

It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion and seek medical attention immediately if any of these occur. This includes wearing the proper protective gear, such as helmets and mouth guards, and following the rules of the sport. Coaches and trainers should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of a concussion and be prepared to take the appropriate action if one occurs. If a concussion does occur, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Treatment for a concussion may involve rest, medications, and physical therapy. It is also important to follow the doctor's instructions for returning to sports activities. Sports concussions can have serious and long-term consequences, so it is important to take the necessary steps to prevent them and seek medical attention if they occur. In a 2023 article focused on how the NFL handles possible concussions, they said that “Increased rigor in enforcing on-field protocols and medical testing, proponents contend, has yielded dramatic improvements in the league's injury record, including a marked decline in the rate of concussions.” (“NFL Head Injuries”)

Sports concussions are a serious issue that can have long-term health consequences for athletes. While there is no way to completely prevent them, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of concussion in sports. The first step in preventing sports concussions is to ensure that athletes are properly trained and equipped. Coaches should ensure that athletes are properly trained in the techniques and skills necessary to reduce the risk of concussion. This includes teaching proper tackling and blocking techniques, as well as teaching athletes how to recognize and respond to signs of a concussion. Additionally, athletes should be provided with the proper protective equipment, such as helmets and mouthguards, to reduce the risk of concussion. Another step in preventing sports concussions is to ensure that athletes are aware of the risks associated with them. Coaches should educate athletes on the signs and symptoms of a concussion, as well as the long-term health consequences of a concussion. Additionally, coaches should ensure that athletes are aware of the importance of reporting any signs or symptoms of a concussion to a coach or medical professional. Finally, they should also ensure that athletes are regularly monitored for signs and symptoms of a concussion. Coaches should be aware of any changes in an athlete’s behavior or performance that could be indicative of a concussion. Additionally, they should ensure that athletes receive regular medical examinations to check for any signs or symptoms of a concussion. By taking these steps, athletes and coaches can reduce the risk of sports-related concussions. While there is no way to completely prevent concussions, these steps can help to reduce the risk and ensure that athletes are aware of the risks associated with concussion.

Although these precautions do not 100% guarantee the safety of athletes, they largely decrease the odds of injuring yourself. Many would agree that wearing the correct equipment and practicing safe gameplay can ensure that the players will be protected from such injuries. Being prepared and safe when playing sports could be the deciding factor in save someone’s life.

In conclusion, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can have serious and long-term effects. It is important to go to the doctor and check for a traumatic brain injury and seek medical attention right away, even if you think it could be insignificant. It is also important to keep track of symptoms and report any changes to a doctor. Knowing how to prepare and treat concussions will be necessary if one is to properly protect themselves from them. And lastly, if everybody uses these techniques and precautions, there could finally be an end to this epidemic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

De Beaumont, Louis, et al. “Long-Term Attenuated Electrophysiological Response to Errors Following Multiple Sports Concussions.” Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, vol. 35, no. 6, 2013, pp. 596–607., https://doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2013.800023.

Doucette, Mitchell L, et al. “The Massachusetts School Sports Concussions Law: A Qualitative Study of Local Implementation Experiences.” The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics : A Journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, vol. 44, no. 3, 2016, pp. 503–13., https://doi.org/10.1177/1073110516667946.

“High School Sports Injuries.” Issues & Controversies, Infobase, 13 Apr. 2022, icof.infobase.com/articles/QXJ0aWNsZVRleHQ6MTYwMjc=. Accessed 13 Mar. 2023.

Prien, Annika, et al. "Epidemiology of Head Injuries Focusing on Concussions in Team Contact Sports: A Systematic Review." Sports Medicine 48.4 (2018): 953. ProQuest. Web. 13 Mar. 2023.

“Professional Wrestling.” Issues & Controversies, Infobase, 27 Sept. 2010, icof.infobase.com/articles/QXJ0aWNsZVRleHQ6MTYxNzk=. Accessed 13 Mar. 2023.

“NFL Head Injuries.” Issues & Controversies, Infobase, 11 Jan. 2023, icof.infobase.com/articles/QXJ0aWNsZVRleHQ6MTYxMjk=. Accessed 13 Mar. 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

Luke Workman

Beth Hammett

ENGL 1302

24 April 2023

Word Count: 1,149

Samuel Beckett and Sports Concussions

Samuel Beckett was a Nobel Prize winner for literature and an author of many poems, novels, and plays. He is regarded as one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century, and a master of the existentialist and absurdist genres. Beckett was an intellectual person; he would believe that receiving sports concussions is completely unnecessary. Traumatic brain injuries, such as sports concussions, can lead to tremendous affects if left untreated. Beckett often wrote about human suffering and the meaning of life; this topic eerily mirrors the conditions athletes are put under when concussed. Given Samuel Beckett’s philosophical beliefs, he would’ve attempted to stop this epidemic by implementing new technologies and making players aware of some prevention factors to better protect them. Absurdist Samuel Beckett would think the social epidemic of sports concussions is unnecessary yet inevitable.

Stated, his philosophical leanings, it is likely that Beckett would view the sports concussions epidemic as a symptom of a larger societal problem. He might argue that the obsession with sports and competition has led to a devaluation of human life, and that the risks associated with contact sports are not worth the potential rewards. Beckett might also explore the idea of identity and how it is tied to physical abilities, suggesting that the emphasis on sports in our culture has created a false sense of self-worth for athletes, leading them to risk their health and well-being for the sake of their sport. Samuel Beckett would likely be appalled at the state of professional sports, where athletes are regularly subjected to head injuries that can have long-term consequences. One can see parallels between Beckett's exploration of time and the experience of athletes suffering from concussions. Indeed, athletes who have experienced concussions have reported a range of cognitive symptoms, including memory loss, confusion, and altered perception of time. These symptoms can have a profound effect on an athlete's ability to perform, and can also impact their quality of life outside of their sport. Samuel Beckett once wrote about how memories can change over time as well as the effects that they have over time:

 “It is right that he too should have his little chronicle, his memories, his reason, and be able to recognize the good in the bad, the bad in the worst, and so grow gently old down all the unchanging days, and die one day like any other day, only shorter” (A-Z Quotes).

In addition to his focus on suffering, Beckett was also deeply interested in the human experience of time. His plays often unfold in real-time, with characters engaging in repetitive and seemingly meaningless actions. Beckett's work explores the ways in which time can seem to stretch out endlessly, and the ways in which human perception of time can be distorted by factors such as age, memory, and trauma. Sports concussions have become a significant public health issue in recent years. According to the University of Michigan Health, “In fact, about 3.8 million concussions occur each year in the U.S. from sports-related injuries. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 5-10% of athletes will experience a concussion in any given sports season. Many of these injuries go unreported and undiagnosed, leading to mismanagement and premature return to activity” (Concussion in Athletes). These injuries can have long-term effects on cognitive, emotional, and physical health, and have been linked to a range of neurological disorders.

His works often explore themes of human suffering, the human condition, and the absurdity of life. Given these themes, it is worthwhile to consider what Beckett would think about the sports concussions epidemic. One can imagine that Beckett, with his focus on human suffering and the absurdity of existence, would be deeply troubled by the sports concussions epidemic. Beckett's characters often exist in a state of physical and mental anguish, and are frequently unable to escape their suffering. In his play "Endgame," for example, the characters Hamm and Clov are trapped in a post-apocalyptic world, and are unable to escape their mutual dependence and misery. Similarly, athletes who suffer from sports-related concussions may feel trapped in a cycle of injury and recovery, unable to escape the physical and emotional toll of their injuries. This quote by Beckett describes the feeling that many athletes who suffer from mental illnesses are afflicted with due to traumatic side effects:

Perhaps it’s done already, perhaps they have said me already, perhaps they have carried me to the threshold of my story, before the door opens on my story, that would surprise me, if it opens, it will be I, it will be the silence, where I am, I don’t know, I’ll never know, in the silence you don’t know, you must go on, I can’t go on, I’ll go on (A-Z Quotes).

Indeed, some athletes have reported feeling a sense of hopelessness and despair in the wake of their concussions. Beckett's work offers a profound exploration of human suffering, and the experiences of athletes suffering from sports-related concussions could be seen as a contemporary manifestation of this theme.

In the wake of the growing sports concussion epidemic, it is essential to come up with new technologies that can help reduce the risks associated with head injuries. First and foremost, Beckett would likely recommend the use of concussion-reducing helmets. In recent years, helmet manufacturers have developed helmets specifically designed to reduce the risks associated with head injuries. These helmets feature a variety of cushioning materials that help absorb the force of an impact and deflect it away from the head. Furthermore, they often feature a number of safety features, such as air vents, to help ensure a secure fit. By equipping athletes with these helmets, Beckett would be taking a proactive approach to reducing the risk of head injuries and concussions. Additionally, Beckett might suggest implementing new technologies or techniques to reduce the risk of concussions. For example, he might recommend using sensors in these types of helmets to track impact forces or developing new training methods that emphasize safe tackling techniques.

            Obviously, Beckett would realize that one couldn’t just stop everyone in the world from playing contact sports. This quote from Beckett accurately represents the ideology that not everything in life should be taken so seriously and the inevitable grip that death has on life, “You’re on Earth, there’s no cure for that!” (A-Z Quotes)

In conclusion, it is likely that Samuel Beckett would be deeply troubled by the sports concussion epidemic. The physical and emotional suffering of athletes, as well as the cognitive effects of concussions, aligns with some of the central themes of Beckett's work. It is clear that the ongoing research about concussions and the efforts to prevent them are important for preserving the physical and emotional well-being of athletes, and this should remain a priority for sports organizations, healthcare providers, and policymakers. However, Beckett would realize that not everybody thinks the same way and agrees with this.

 

 

Works Cited

“Concussion in Athletes.” Concussion in Athletes | Michigan Medicine, https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/brain-neurological-conditions/concussion-athletes-neurosport#:~:text=Concussions%20in%20athletes%20are%20extremely,U.S.%20from%20sports%2Drelated%20injuries.

“Samuel Beckett - Continuity of His Philosophical Explorations” | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-Beckett/Continuity-of-his-philosophical-explorations. Accessed 9 May 2023.

“Samuel Beckett on Life, Words, Silence, Nothing, and More.” BIG OTHER, 13 Apr. 2021, https://bigother.com/2021/04/13/samuel-beckett-on-life-words-silence-nothing-and-more-2/. Accessed 9 May 9, 2023

“Top 25 Quotes by Samuel Beckett (of 319): A-Z Quotes.” A, www.azquotes.com/author/1118-Samuel_Beckett. Accessed 9 May 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

Luke Workman

ENGL 1213

Professor Hammett

Reflective Essay

May 1, 2023

Word Count: 644

Reflective Essay

            At the beginning of the semester, my expectations for this class were that it was going to be a breeze. However, let’s just say it didn’t meet that expectation. Don’t get me wrong, the course work wasn’t all that bad, and I actually had fun doing some of the assignments! But, taking these courses concurrently along with all of my extracurricular activities, as a senior in high school quickly began to catch up with me. At times, I felt very unmotivated and burnt out and because of this I fell behind. But by pushing through and finding the time to work, I was able to catch up. Over this semester, this class has taught me that time management is absolutely so important and that if I wanted to succeed in school, life, future jobs, etc., I am going to have to master the discipline.

            In the first half of the semester, I actually had a pretty good time navigating the work. There were many assignments that I enjoyed doing and completing such as watching and reflecting on Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis as well as The Plague by Albert Camus. I feel that including watching movies like these, or reading texts from a book keeps the assignments and work more interesting and fun to do. Along with reflecting upon movies, I also wrote my first essay of the semester on the sports concussions epidemic. Going into the essay, I knew that I should pick a topic I know enough to write about. I have a bit of background knowledge on sports concussions and the anatomical as well as mental repercussions that they can leave on an individual. One thing that I took away from writing this piece was the importance of factual evidence in an argument. The evidence in an essay is what drives your argument and thesis and is a vital part of the writing process.

            The second part of the semester, however, was a bit less eventful. Really the only thing that we worked on was the Project 2 essay, the more challenging of the two. For me personally, I found it very hard to find good solid evidence to back up my points and struggled quite a bit when constructing the piece. My struggle with this essay was also partially due to excess amounts of stress and burn out. That is why I believe that mental health is a very important component in productivity and in a person’s overall well-being. Creating bad working habits or having poor mental health can hinder one’s ability to focus and effectively get things done.

            One thing I would change if I could go back is the amount of time I put into these assignments. I feel that if I had just spent a bit more time perfecting my submissions, they could have been extraordinary. Another thing I wish I had done differently was carefully thought about what topics to write about. For the first essay, we were tasked to pick a social epidemic and write about it. I naturally gravitated more towards concussions relating to contact sports as I know a bit about the subject. However, looking back I think that if I chose a more exciting or interesting topic to write about, instead of just going with what I already knew, I would have had more fun writing and researching it.

            In conclusion, this course has taught me a lot. Such as things like the importance of time management, keeping track of your mental health, and choosing the roads less traveled. During the beginning of the semester, I had much fun watching movies and reading texts as assignments. And as time went on, I grew to learn how burnout can affect one’s mental health. But overall, I feel like it has been a very successful semester and I look forward to seeing what comes next.