ALMH Hosts Free Dinner to Promote Concussion Awareness
RSVP requested

[September 04, 2014]  LINCOLN - When the head moves rapidly back and forth it may cause a mild form of traumatic brain injury called a concussion. Concussions are very serious injuries with potentially catastrophic effects and can occur in any sport or physical activity. It’s important that coaches, parents, and athletes learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs.

While most people with concussions recover quickly, the symptoms can sometimes last for days, weeks or longer. According to the Center for Disease Control, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion. And one of the most important parts of recovery is knowing when it’s time to return to your usual routine or sport.

Memorial SportsCare at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is doing its part to inform the community about concussions. A free Guzzardo’s dinner will be served at 5:30pm on Tuesday, September 9th in the Lincoln Community High School cafeteria. Athletes, coaches and their families are highly encouraged to attend the “After Practice Huddle” but the event is open to the public.

Dinner will be served promptly at 5:30pm and will feature short presentations by two experts in the field. John Watson, MD of the Orthopedic Center of Illinois and Devin Spears, MS, ATC, PES, Lead Athletic Trainer at Memorial SportsCare will present the latest findings in concussion management and prevention.

To RSVP for the event, please call ALMH at 217-605-5008.

This event is being funded by a grant from the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network. Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of Memorial Health System, is a 25-bed critical access hospital located at 200 Stahlhut Drive. For more information about ALMH, visit www.ALMH.org

[Text received:  ANGELA STOLTZENBURG, ALMH]