As a two-time All-American player, collegiate national champion, and member of the U.S. Women’s Training Team, Haley Warden has battled against a lot of tough opponents in her lacrosse career. Perhaps none more taxing, however, than the diagnosis of a concussion.
Unfortunately, Warden has experienced concussion a few times, although never on the field. He most recent concussion occurred from a minor car accident last year.
“I didn’t think much of it at the time, but as I tried to get back into training, I felt slow,” Warden said. “I didn’t feel like myself.”
Warden reported her symptoms to a medical care provider, and went through concussion protocols, including a period of rest, before returning to U.S. Team training. Sadly, lingering issues remained. She still didn’t feel right.
“If you don’t feel normal. you’re not going to be able to help your team,” Warden said. “You need to pull yourself out. I know that’s a hard thing to do, but ultimately it’s what is best for you and for those around you.”
Now serving as an assistant coach at her alma mater, James Madison, she understands the importance of a team approach for concussions.
“I really think it starts from the top down,” Warden said. “The more that we can encourage our players to recognize when someone needs help, the better off we are going to be. We need to let them know that it’s okay to speak up.”
Warden shares her personal concussion story as part of a webinar called, “Shaping the Concussion Culture in Lacrosse.”
A joint venture between USA Lacrosse and the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF), the goal of the webinar is to help players and coaches understand that concussions must be taken seriously.
In addition to Warden, the webinar includes several other panelists: Dr. Chris Vaughan provides a basic concussion overview, USA Lacrosse head athletic trainer Kellie Loehr discusses how concussions should be managed, and former professional lacrosse player Pat Dowling shares his own experience with concussion.
The webinar is part of the 2022 USA Lacrosse Team Up Speak Up Week, a partnership with CLF that seeks to promote a healthy team environment by encouraging players to speak up on behalf of a teammate who may be injured.
Throughout the week, lacrosse coaches, athletes, and athletic trainers have been encouraged to bring the Team Up Speak Up speech to their team, namely, to remind players to tell a team leader, such as a coach or athletic trainer, if they see concussion signs in a teammate.
An estimated 3.8 million sports related concussions occur each year, but just 1 in 6 are diagnosed. A missed concussion diagnosis can threaten an athlete's season, career, or even their life.
Learn more and take the pledge to give the speech at TeamUpSpeakUp.org.
