Get Inspired

Looking for some inspiration? Below, you’ll find a gallery of stories of loss, recovery, community and hope to help patients and families who are struggling.

If you’d like to share your story, reach out to Digital Content Manager Nick Paik at npaik@concussionandcte.org to get started.

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Conquering Concussions: From Struggling to Studying Conquering Concussions: From Struggling to Studying Stories I have decided to start a Team Up Chapter here at the University of Guelph. With CLFC, I hope to use my knowledge and personal experience with TBI to enhance the quality and accessibility of resources available to young athletes regarding concussion prevention and post-concussion syndrome. To Play or Not to Play, Shouldn't Even Have Been a Question! To Play or Not to Play, Shouldn't Even Have Been a Question! Stories The day I became a mother, something shifted inside me. I became more in tune with others’ feelings and more aware of dangerous situations before they happened. Not just for my daughter, but for everyone around me. The Mamma bear reference is a real thing, you don't truly experience until that magical day arrives. Evolution of Concussion Management with Dr. Angela Carol Evolution of Concussion Management with Dr. Angela Carol Stories The McMaster Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation spoke with Dr. Angela Carol, a physician with the Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre in Hamilton, Ontario. She shared with us her insights regarding the evolution of concussion management, as well as the challenges associated with treating concussions in people experiencing homelessness. Moving Mountains: Perspective and Possibility from Brain Injury and Vision Loss to the World’s Highest Peaks Moving Mountains: Perspective and Possibility from Brain Injury and Vision Loss to the World’s Highest Peaks Stories The surreal story, set throughout 7 hospitals in 3 countries for more than 26 months; filled with caregivers, hundreds of hands and hearts who believed something that I did not. They are the reason I can share this story of serendipity. Sparring with Life: The Fight Beyond Boxing Sparring with Life: The Fight Beyond Boxing Stories The many trophies and medals I won when I competed in boxing can now be found in a tote bin, stored under my basement staircase. I never pull them out to look at them. However, my memories of the time I spent competing in the sport never go away. Especially the memories of the many severe blows to the head I received while training and competing. Moving Forward in the Face of Tragedy Moving Forward in the Face of Tragedy Stories Moving Forward in the Face of Tragedy Overcoming Post-Concussion Syndrome Overcoming Post-Concussion Syndrome Stories There has been a lot of healing that has taken place in the last couple of years, as well as learning the tools, tips and tricks of living with Post-Concussion Syndrome. Learning how to pace myself throughout the day was a game-changer. I have special earplugs to deal with noise sensitivity and tinted glasses to deal with light sensitivity. I know if I have a social function scheduled I need the next day off to rest and recover. I know my limits and try not to push them if I don't have to. Annitta Siliato & Paul Wheatley Annitta Siliato & Paul Wheatley Stories CLF Australia’s Executive Director, Annitta Siliato, joins her brother Paul to discuss his experience with The Project, an Australian television news-current affairs and talk show program. Paul developed epilepsy following brain injuries sustained during his grassroots Australian rules football career. James Graham & CLF Australia James Graham & CLF Australia Stories NRL great James Graham joined the CLF Australia Board of Directors in 2022. James is a passionate and inspiring advocate as he strives to raise awareness and promote education about concussions and repetitive head impacts in contact sports and is keen to find answers and solutions to make sports safer for all. Lance Picioane Lance Picioane Stories Lance Picioane is the Founder & CEO Love Me Love You foundation, a leading mental health and suicide prevention advocate, and a Former AFL player for Adelaide FC, Hawthorn FC, and North Melbourne FC. He is a husband and a father of two boys. Jason Madden Jason Madden Stories The Concussion Legacy foundation has always reached a spot for me that I feel close to. I have two friends that play professional football and couldn’t think of a better way to raise awareness by providing information to the public around how a concussion has effects on the brain. I will be forever thankful to the Concussion legacy foundation in supporting me along my next big ride of completing 250kms in 30 days. Lydia Pingel Lydia Pingel Stories After suffering seven concussions in three years – I was forced to medically retire. My life has completely changed as a result of the head injuries I sustained playing sport and I now want to raise awareness of the ‘invisible disease’ I live with. Luke Ivens Luke Ivens Stories I have been diagnosed with probable Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused in part by repeated head trauma. What can result from this brain damage is memory loss, poor impulse control, impaired judgement, aggression, anxiety, depression, and eventually progressive dementia. More people are becoming aware of CTE through media reports and the tragic stories of those who have lost their battle with the disease. However, I want my story to be one of hope rather than despair. Trent Keep Trent Keep Stories What do I fear the most about repeated brain injuries? It isn’t the constant daze, headaches or mood swings, but instead I fear that when life is at its most enjoyable, I won’t be able to control my symptoms. I fear that when I have a family I won’t function to the best of my ability or be able to run, kick, or maybe, I’ll forget things completely. My name is Trent Robert Keep, a 29-year-old male born in Latrobe on the North West coast of Tasmania and I have experienced repeated head trauma from sport and during my rehab processes. Antonio Lo Iacono Antonio Lo Iacono Stories CLFA Ambassador, Wendy Smith, the mother of Antonio Lo Iacono advocates the seriousness of concussions and secondary impacts in contact sport after watching her son take his last breath whilst playing the first game of the 2023 footy season. Antonio, a 20-year-old talent suffered a life-threatening injury from an on-field head collision in an A grade community football game. He was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition of where he was later declared brain dead. Regaining Peace After a Life-changing Bike Crash Regaining Peace After a Life-changing Bike Crash Stories Former triathlete Jocelyn Pepe shares how she regained peace after a life-changing bike crash. A Former Soccer Player on Finding Her New Normal A Former Soccer Player on Finding Her New Normal Stories Former soccer player Sasha Pina shares how she adapted to her "new normal." 100 Feet of Peace: Healing in the Deep 100 Feet of Peace: Healing in the Deep Stories Former hockey player Tyler Brower shares how the vast ocean helps in his TBI recovery journey. A Concussion Survivor Bringing Moms Together A Concussion Survivor Bringing Moms Together Stories Allison Moir-Smith shares how a concussion led her to advocate for other moms with brain injuries. A Competitive Cheerleader on Impact of Concussions A Competitive Cheerleader on Impact of Concussions Stories Competitive cheerleader Isabel Dwyer shares how she is spreading awareness of concussions. Not Just American Football—Surviving Probable CTE Not Just American Football—Surviving Probable CTE Stories Former soccer phenom Kelly Lindberg details her experience with probable CTE to give hope to others. Being Your Own Advocate After Injury Being Your Own Advocate After Injury Stories High schooler Aspen Malasky shares the importance of being your own advocate after injury. IMpowering Others After a Life-Changing Accident IMpowering Others After a Life-Changing Accident Stories Siobhan Lacey-Chow shares her story of IMpowering others after a life-changing accident. Overcoming PCS One Day at a Time Overcoming PCS One Day at a Time Stories Former soccer player Lauren Creighton details how she stayed positive during PCS recovery.