Concussion Awareness on Rowan’s Law Day

1 Oct 2019

Did you know that you can sustain a concussion without having hit your head, or that you don’t need to lose consciousness to have a concussion? A hard-enough blow to the body that moves your head back and forth can cause a concussion.

 

There are many signs and symptoms of concussions. Many people do not know that untreated or undiagnosed concussions can lead to permanent brain damage or death. In fact, according to the Government of Canada, half of all Canadians have little or no knowledge about concussions.

 

Ontario is working to improve this unfortunate reality by providing concussion safety information to the people who need it most. On March 7, 2018, Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety) was passed in the Legislative Assembly, with unanimous support. Athletes, parents, coaches, and team trainers are now required to review the concussion awareness resources and concussion code of conduct. Sporting officials are also now required to review concussion awareness resources for their sport.

 

Rowan’s Law is named in memory of Rowan Stringer, an Ottawa high school student who died as a result of sustaining multiple concussions while playing rugby on her school’s team. No one, including Rowan herself, knew she had a concussion and that her brain needed time to heal.

 

This year, September 25 marked the second annual Rowan’s Law Day. The day is intended to raise awareness about concussions and concussion safety.

 

To mark Rowan’s Law Day this year, our government provided financial support to the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada to fund local See the Line concussion symposiums, camps to teach kids how to engage in proper body contact in sports such as football and lacrosse, and seminars on university campuses.

 

Our government has also launched an awareness campaign in support of Rowan’s Law, to ensure the public is aware of the potential dangers of head injuries. Those who watched one of the Raptors’ playoff games may have seen our commercial demonstrating the dangers of playing through a potential concussion. If you missed it, you can still see it for yourself.

 

I want to encourage everyone in Dufferin-Caledon to help change the way concussions are handled. “Hit. Stop. Sit.” is our slogan to encourage athletes to stop and sit it out when they get hit in a game. No one should play through a potential concussion.

 

Ontario is a national leader in ushering in the first concussion legislation in the Canada. Through video, print, and social media, we are changing the culture of amateur sport. Visit ontario.ca/concussions for more information or call my office at 1-800-265-1603.

 

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