A Former Football Player’s Quest for Concussion Awareness

A young man from White County, Indiana suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while playing high school football for the Frontier Falcons. Now, his past therapist has written a book about Cody’s experiences, chronicling a story of recovery and highlighting the challenges of TBI diagnoses.

Two Hits to the Head

It was 2006, and Cody Lehe’s football team was competing in the state sectionals. Following a blow to his head, the student was immediately aware that something felt different. In the aftermath of the incident, Cody had a headache and light sensitivity.

That same night, his family took him to the emergency room as a precaution, but the CT scan did not show anything abnormal. Within a few days, the student-athlete was back at practice.

Then, there was a moment when he sustained another hit to the head that was considered relatively light. Even though it seemed light, the hit resulted in second impact syndrome (SIS). SIS occurs when the brain swells rapidly before a first concussion can heal. When struck a second time, a person’s concussion symptoms get significantly worse in a very short period of time.

This second impact within days of the first one affected the young man to the degree that years of work with a therapist have followed. The team of two worked on speech, coordination, and muscle memory.

Therapist and Patient Collaborate

Together, Cody and his therapist Jim Cooley also decided to embark on a journey to write about the injured player’s experience. Cooley self-published The Impact of Cody Lehe in 2014. After publication, Cody attended book signings where dozens of people purchase the 150-page book, reminding attendees of the need to respect the warning signs of a concussion.

Concussion Awareness

Cody’s family is clear that they don’t want other students to stop playing football. But they do want others to take concussion symptoms seriously. Book proceeds go toward promoting concussion awareness. The family has also donated dozens of books to local schools to increase awareness through education.

In general, protocols now exist to deal with concussions and blows to the head. Coaches and others in positions of authority have a responsibility to fully adhere to such protocols. Medical personnel must also maintain a standard of care that provides proper diagnosis and treatment of TBIs.

Contact a Brain Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury due to negligent conduct, you are urged to contact the Indianapolis Brain Injury Attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. The lawyers at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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