Concussions weigh heavily on player’s mind

Knocked off balance and out of control, Maddie Van Liew landed on the basketball court, head first.

“That was the scariest one,” said Van Liew, a junior from Skyview. “I was throwing up, practically foaming from the mouth, and had to be rushed to the hospital.”

That was her first concussion, the summer of 2009. In a span of 17 months, she would suffer two more.

That third one was probably the least worrisome, at least at first. There was no direct blow to the head as she practiced with her team, preparing for this season. Van Liew described it as more of a whiplash effect, with her brain slamming into the inside of her skull.

It turned out, that last one, in late November, might have been the scariest of all.

Van Liew did not want to miss any time from the game she loves. What symptoms she had, she kept to herself.

She played in the team’s first two games. But after that second game, about a week after the latest injury, it all came crashing down on her.

The pain of her headaches had intensified, she was getting dizzy spells. Finally, that night, she found herself crying, unaware of where she was.

That would be her final day on the basketball court as a player this season. Van Liew, whose all-around skills and aggressiveness on the court landed her a spot on The Columbian’s All-Region team last year, is taking an indefinite break.

No basketball this season. No spring and summer basketball. And no target return date.

“I really want to play next year,” Van Liew said.

But then she added: “Is it worth playing next year?”

That right there should explain the seriousness of the situation. Not too many athletes who have worked all of their lives to excel in a game they love would even consider giving it up. Our athletes are taught, from a young age, to play through the pain.

Well, not anymore. Not with concussions.

Maddie’s parents, Frank and Vonda Van Liew, said their daughter is definitely done until at least next season. Even if doctors clear her to play before then, they have made it clear to Maddie that she will not return too soon.

Maddie, who is still suffering from headaches, has more doctor appointments next week. Her doctor, parents, and Maddie will monitor her progress throughout the next year.

“As a parent, you have to consider not only the immediate concerns of your child but also what the consequences may be 20 years later,” Frank Van Liew said. “This is a hard concept to grasp when you are a teenage athlete wanting to return as soon as possible. Concussions can be ‘hidden’ injuries that are hard to determine when full healing is complete.”

Frank said the decision to stop playing this season was easy. The difficulty, for Maddie and her parents, is adapting to life without basketball this winter.

Maddie Van Liew still is a part of the team. She is on the bench for every game, cheering her teammates. Yet, it is frustrating.

“I’m watching them grow and get better and stronger as a team. I’m just there, watching it from the sidelines,” she said. “It’s not the same. That’s the hardest part about it.”

Besides the headaches, Maddie also is suffering from not being on the floor, even if she understands the reasons why.

“It hurts a lot. People don’t understand how much it does. Growing up, my goal was to play high school basketball on varsity. For it to be taken away …”

She spoke to her teammates prior to a game earlier this season, reminding them to not take anything for granted.

“I told them that could have been my last game. ‘Did I play my hardest?’ Any game could be your last game. The minute it’s taken away, you’re going to love it that much more.”

Her advice to other athletes who suffer from concussions is to listen to the doctors and listen to their bodies.

The brain needs time to heal. Don’t rush back to action. Her doctor told her that once a person suffers a concussion, that person is more likely to suffer another.

Concussions have received plenty of attention in recent months in professional sports, mainly from the NFL.

But concussions can occur in any sport. A Pac-10 volleyball player at California wears headgear. A men’s basketball player from Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne wears one, as well, after suffering four concussions last season.

Maddie said she is not opposed to giving that a try.

“I wouldn’t hesitate. I would put it on and go out there. I want to play. I don’t care what it takes,” she said, acknowledging that the headgear is “goofy” looking.

“Maybe I’ll make ‘em fashionable. Maybe people will wear them around for the heck of it.”

Here’s hoping she rests, heals, and does get back on the court, because that’s where athletes belong, competing in their chosen sport. Her desire on the court was contagious, a leader even as a sophomore last season.

More importantly, here’s hoping she, her family, and her doctor make the best decision. Together, they have a year to answer that toughest of questions — Is it worth it?

Paul Valencia covers high school sports for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4557 or e-mail at paul.valencia@columbian.com.