Isabel Dwyer

Isabel’s Story

The fall of my sophomore year I was at cheer practice, and we were practicing stunting when suddenly my flyer lost her balance in the air and fell backwards causing her tailbone to hit my head and for me to fall back onto the mat. I had the wind knocked out of me, but I continued practicing. When I got home from practice, I had a massive headache and felt nauseous. My mom ended up taking me to urgent care the next day where I got diagnosed with a concussion and again by my pediatrician.

For weeks I couldn’t tolerate bright light or loud music. When I tried to read, I felt really nauseous. That’s when I found out that none of my teachers or coaches knew if the school had a concussion protocol. After a few days I tried to go back to practice but the bright lights in the gym, music, and the loud voices made my head hurt even worse. I missed practices and games because I was not cleared yet by a doctor to cheer yet and I couldn’t even stand being in a rowdy environment.

Although the physical piece was hard, the social and emotional part was much worse. Girls on my team accused me of faking my concussion because they didn’t understand my invisible injury. They would alternate between ignoring me and scowling at me. The coach did not help much either and kept pressuring my mom to have me cleared. The teachers were not much better. They gave me extensions but did not understand that reading, thinking, and writing only made my symptoms worse.

I felt very isolated and alone. Aside from my family I didn't feel supported by my teachers or team. I suffered my concussion a year ago, but I still have some reoccurring symptoms from my injury like focusing on my school work or completing a task.

My advice for others suffering a concussion is that you’re not alone, many others have gone through something similar and there are so many resources to help you understand what you’re feeling.

A Note from Isabel: I’m actually pageant title holder (miss lilac states teen) And my community service initiative is “When in doubt sit them out: Awareness of Athletic Concussions” So my whole platform is about educating student athletes, teachers and parents not only about the signs and symptoms of concussions but the social and emotional impact as well another big thing I strive for is giving athletes the information they need to stand up for themselves when they think they have suffered a concussion.

Support Survivors!

Support!

Join Concussion Connect for FREE!

We understand the need for a safe place to go separate from your regular social world, less overwhelming and more personal. Join Concussion Connect to have a place to share and get support along your survivor journey!

Concussion Connect has provided me a space to learn more about what is going on inside my brain and body, find the words to express how I am feeling, not feel so alone, and learn about and use different resources! It provides a sense of being understood that has been missing since my accident, even brings a sense of understanding myself. - CC Member

Learn more