Friday, December 9, 2016
Taking a Break
Hey everyone.... I have been thinking about this blog for a while now. It's been over a year since I started it and I have enjoyed doing so. However, I feel like I am running out of ideas to talk about and not engaging my audience as much as I would have liked. It seems as though many people have stopped reading as well, and I am having trouble keeping the audience interested. So... I will be taking a break. I don't know how long this break will be... Could be months, could be forever. But I just wanted to thank those of you who have read. It's been a joy finding new stories to talk and learn about. I would love to continue learning and growing with you all. Maybe I will find a new venue for learning. Maybe I'll come back to this. But thank you everyone for taking time out of your day to read this. I appreciate it.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Recognition - Not Expected but Still Appreciated
On October 28th, Xavier Pease was given the game ball from the Billerica Memorial High School's football team. He was being recognized as one of the important roles on the field. His dad was also being recognized as a great supporter of the team. Pease's dad is battling a genetic disorder, called Alpha-1, which causes breathing problems. His dad went through a double lung transplant on October 9th, and had some complications. The football team knew that Pease was going through a rough time, and dedicated their game to his dad and him. The football team view Pease and his dad as members of their team. Pease has only been there a year, but has had lastly effects as their athletic trainer.
It's nice to hear stories like this as an athletic trainer. It's nice to know that you are considered part of the team. But we never expect it. We are here to do a job, being recognized is not something that we really think of because this is what we chose to do with our career. Helping people is in our blood. We don't do this for the recognition. BUT! It is nice when we get it. I'm sure Xavier Pease had no clue he was getting recognized. And it's the best feeling when you are.
When I worked with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, my first Opening Day I was recognized.. They announced every member of the team on the roster, and that included me! Also, my first season, the last home game of the year, I got a little trophy, a little recognition, for being the athletic trainer. It's the little things... I wasn't expecting to be recognized at the end of the year in front of the whole time and fans, but it made me feel great. That all my hard work was paying off!
Any of you have a story of recognition or something good that has happened to you at your workplace? It's always nice to hear good stories! Especially with all of the negativity going around right now. I needed a "feel good" day!
http://billerica.wickedlocal.com/news/20161111/billerica-football-team-supports-trainer-during-trying-time
It's nice to hear stories like this as an athletic trainer. It's nice to know that you are considered part of the team. But we never expect it. We are here to do a job, being recognized is not something that we really think of because this is what we chose to do with our career. Helping people is in our blood. We don't do this for the recognition. BUT! It is nice when we get it. I'm sure Xavier Pease had no clue he was getting recognized. And it's the best feeling when you are.
When I worked with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, my first Opening Day I was recognized.. They announced every member of the team on the roster, and that included me! Also, my first season, the last home game of the year, I got a little trophy, a little recognition, for being the athletic trainer. It's the little things... I wasn't expecting to be recognized at the end of the year in front of the whole time and fans, but it made me feel great. That all my hard work was paying off!
Any of you have a story of recognition or something good that has happened to you at your workplace? It's always nice to hear good stories! Especially with all of the negativity going around right now. I needed a "feel good" day!
http://billerica.wickedlocal.com/news/20161111/billerica-football-team-supports-trainer-during-trying-time
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Creating a New ATR
Hey guys! I know I haven't written in a while... Lots have things have been going on, some personal and some work related... Most intertwine the two. It's been a struggle. But.. I'm back! And I need your help!
I am creating a new ATR space. We have a big space to work with.... about 15'x34' for the new training room, and 15'x20' for the new wet room. I have been going over everything that I would like, and my assistant has given her input... But we are stumped with what else we should put in our new ATR!
On our list we have new treatment and taping tables, new whirlpools, new stim units and carts to put them on, new desks,,, You know... The essentials. But what ELSE? What is your favorite thing you have in your ATR? What do you wish you had?
We are trying to figure out how to fund getting one of those Grimm Whirpools. Anyone have one of those?
Also, we need to fundraise for this whole project. What are some things that you can think of to help fund this probable $100,000 project?
All input is welcome and wanted!!!
I am creating a new ATR space. We have a big space to work with.... about 15'x34' for the new training room, and 15'x20' for the new wet room. I have been going over everything that I would like, and my assistant has given her input... But we are stumped with what else we should put in our new ATR!
On our list we have new treatment and taping tables, new whirlpools, new stim units and carts to put them on, new desks,,, You know... The essentials. But what ELSE? What is your favorite thing you have in your ATR? What do you wish you had?
We are trying to figure out how to fund getting one of those Grimm Whirpools. Anyone have one of those?
Also, we need to fundraise for this whole project. What are some things that you can think of to help fund this probable $100,000 project?
All input is welcome and wanted!!!
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
STIRKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!
So has anyone else heard about the faculty strikes in Pennsylvania? Faculty at 14 universities owned by the state of Pennsylvania when on strike, and what I did not know was that the athletic trainers also went on strike! I just read this and it baffled me. The schools are planning on using the graduate assistants that work at these schools who are certified as replacement ATs while the strike is going on. At least these schools have that! I don't think they ALL do, though. So what are the schools doing? They must be getting per diem ATs. But you know what? I think I'm happy that the ATs decided to join the strike. Underpaid and overworked? Yup. Usually. I don't know what the strike is actually about, but that would be my guess. If there is no replacement AT, do all sports have to cease? How does that work?
So I get the whole strike. I know why people do it. They feel like their institution is not treating them fairly. But now I think of our code of ethics. How can you strike when in the back of your mind there is an athlete that needs your help? It's just something I can't wrap my head around. Like I said, I know why they're doing it. And I agree with them and would probably join in. But I would also be sitting there thinking about all the athletes I have left behind to be dealt with by a replacement who knows nothing about them. Morally, I don't think I would be able to strike. But we definitely need to do something to make us as professionals treated fairly and be appreciated as a medical field.
Anyone else have an idea of what you would do or how you would handle a strike? I just don't know what I would do!
So I get the whole strike. I know why people do it. They feel like their institution is not treating them fairly. But now I think of our code of ethics. How can you strike when in the back of your mind there is an athlete that needs your help? It's just something I can't wrap my head around. Like I said, I know why they're doing it. And I agree with them and would probably join in. But I would also be sitting there thinking about all the athletes I have left behind to be dealt with by a replacement who knows nothing about them. Morally, I don't think I would be able to strike. But we definitely need to do something to make us as professionals treated fairly and be appreciated as a medical field.
Anyone else have an idea of what you would do or how you would handle a strike? I just don't know what I would do!
Saturday, October 22, 2016
NFL - Do they care?
**DISCLAIMER** This post is not in direct relation to athletic training, but it is a current topic and an interesting one to talk about.
So it has been brought to light the many NFL players that have participated in a domestic violence crime. Most recently, my NY Giants kicker, Josh Brown, has been brought to the spotlight with his ex-wife stating that he had been violent with her. It also happens that he had emails and journal entries admitting the events that took place. At first, I was in disbelief. Someone that I really enjoyed watching play, someone whom I always picked up in fantasy football... How could this be true? Then you have to think about what's being done about it. Right now, the NFL is investigating the issue. But think about years past... Ray Rice, Brandon Marshall, Santonio Holmes, Dez Bryant, among others, have all been arrested for domestic violence and all but one (Rice) are still playing in the NFL.
In 2015, Brown was arrested for domestic violence and was suspended for one game. The NFL blamed his wife for not cooperating and them not being able to figure out what happened. Same thing happened with Rice. The NFL blamed the victim. Even with Brown's admission of guilt, the Giants re-signed him, seemingly OK that Brown was abusing his wife. The NFL decided to reopen the case since it had gone a bit more public than they had foreseen. The NFL has revamped their domestic violence policy, though. A six game suspension without pay for a first time offender and someone who abuses a pregnant woman... Wow. That'll show them, right?
So is the NFL turning a blind eye to domestic violence? Being a female in sports, I know what it is like to have these male athletes become violent. Not necessarily towards me, but I have seen it. It happens. There are times where the players are stressed and do not know how to handle it well and they become violent. Maybe some people are just violent by nature. It DOES happen. The NFL cannot just sweep it under the rug and say that it is the accusers fault. I cannot believe that these domestic violence cases are not being investigated further. The NFL just doesn't seem to want to deal with it, so the player gets a slap on the wrist, a "don't do it again", and off you go. Being a woman, it is disgraceful to see this happen. How can the NFL, a nationally know organization, who is supposed to produce role models for young kids and entertainment for the rest of us... How do they sit back and watch this happen and not do anything about it? I just don't quite understand their logic. Why do the women get blamed and the offenders keep living their lives? Something needs to be done.
So it has been brought to light the many NFL players that have participated in a domestic violence crime. Most recently, my NY Giants kicker, Josh Brown, has been brought to the spotlight with his ex-wife stating that he had been violent with her. It also happens that he had emails and journal entries admitting the events that took place. At first, I was in disbelief. Someone that I really enjoyed watching play, someone whom I always picked up in fantasy football... How could this be true? Then you have to think about what's being done about it. Right now, the NFL is investigating the issue. But think about years past... Ray Rice, Brandon Marshall, Santonio Holmes, Dez Bryant, among others, have all been arrested for domestic violence and all but one (Rice) are still playing in the NFL.
In 2015, Brown was arrested for domestic violence and was suspended for one game. The NFL blamed his wife for not cooperating and them not being able to figure out what happened. Same thing happened with Rice. The NFL blamed the victim. Even with Brown's admission of guilt, the Giants re-signed him, seemingly OK that Brown was abusing his wife. The NFL decided to reopen the case since it had gone a bit more public than they had foreseen. The NFL has revamped their domestic violence policy, though. A six game suspension without pay for a first time offender and someone who abuses a pregnant woman... Wow. That'll show them, right?
So is the NFL turning a blind eye to domestic violence? Being a female in sports, I know what it is like to have these male athletes become violent. Not necessarily towards me, but I have seen it. It happens. There are times where the players are stressed and do not know how to handle it well and they become violent. Maybe some people are just violent by nature. It DOES happen. The NFL cannot just sweep it under the rug and say that it is the accusers fault. I cannot believe that these domestic violence cases are not being investigated further. The NFL just doesn't seem to want to deal with it, so the player gets a slap on the wrist, a "don't do it again", and off you go. Being a woman, it is disgraceful to see this happen. How can the NFL, a nationally know organization, who is supposed to produce role models for young kids and entertainment for the rest of us... How do they sit back and watch this happen and not do anything about it? I just don't quite understand their logic. Why do the women get blamed and the offenders keep living their lives? Something needs to be done.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Athletic Trainers - We Save Lives
On April 27th, Leigh Otis and Amanda Jennings found themselves doing something they never thought they would have to do. However, their extensive training helped them flawlessly perform a life saving procedure. Connor Moss was participating in a weight lifting session when he collapsed because his heart stopped. Otis started CPR while Jennings grabbed the AED. They saved Moss's life, and the city has dubbed them as heroes. They don't feel like heroes, though - they were just doing their jobs.
On November 19, 2014, Max Rucker was at football practice and collapsed. Athletic trainer Keith Shireman ran from the athletic training room to the football field to find Rucker unconscious with no pulse. He immediately started CPR. Four cycles later, EMS arrived and took over. Rucker was diagnosed with a heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, that required surgery. The initial CPR saved his life. He had a defibrillator put in and was told he couldn't play any more contact sports. His reaction? "That's ok. Now I want to be an athletic trainer."
In October 2015, Piper Thompson ran to action. Football player Josh Boatright collapsed on the field. His heart was racing and wouldn't slow. He had stated previously that he was getting heart palpitations during activity, and then later at rest. Thompson suggested that he go to a cardiologist and have his heart checked, which was a great move because Boatright was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The football player could have died without Thompson being right there watching, and he now respects what she does more for her life-saving actions.
These are just a few life saving actions of athletic trainers that I have read about. I think that's how it is with athletic trainers. None of us are in it for the glory or the awards or the recognition. We chose this career because we love doing what we're doing. I also believe that life saving actions don't necessarily mean we have to do CPR and grab the AED. I think there are more life saving actions that we do. Let's say a lacrosse player breaks his leg in a game. The athletic trainer is there first to assess the injury and give comfort to the player. The lacrosse player is transported to the hospital and has surgery and/or is casted. But what the athletic trainer did and said from injury to surgery is key. We are here to make sure the athlete feels safe and believes that he/she will be ok. As athletic trainers, we take the broken leg athlete and we hold their hand until the ambulance arrives. We tell them that we will take care of them when they get out of the cast. We tell them that we will be there for rehab ever day until they are better. I know that being there for other injuries is just as live saving as a CPR instance. I know that when a player tears their ACL, they feel like their life is over because their season is over. But we can educate them, rehab them, and get them back on the field. This is why I love this profession so much. We save lives every day, no matter how big or small the injury is. And we don't look for a reward. It is rewarding enough to see the athlete back out on the field.
http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/life-saving-heroes-honored-in-layton
http://www.wfsb.com/story/27520760/high-school-athletic-trainer-saves-football-players-life
http://kdvr.com/2015/10/05/legend-h-s-football-player-says-his-schools-athletic-trainer-saved-his-life/
On November 19, 2014, Max Rucker was at football practice and collapsed. Athletic trainer Keith Shireman ran from the athletic training room to the football field to find Rucker unconscious with no pulse. He immediately started CPR. Four cycles later, EMS arrived and took over. Rucker was diagnosed with a heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, that required surgery. The initial CPR saved his life. He had a defibrillator put in and was told he couldn't play any more contact sports. His reaction? "That's ok. Now I want to be an athletic trainer."
In October 2015, Piper Thompson ran to action. Football player Josh Boatright collapsed on the field. His heart was racing and wouldn't slow. He had stated previously that he was getting heart palpitations during activity, and then later at rest. Thompson suggested that he go to a cardiologist and have his heart checked, which was a great move because Boatright was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The football player could have died without Thompson being right there watching, and he now respects what she does more for her life-saving actions.
These are just a few life saving actions of athletic trainers that I have read about. I think that's how it is with athletic trainers. None of us are in it for the glory or the awards or the recognition. We chose this career because we love doing what we're doing. I also believe that life saving actions don't necessarily mean we have to do CPR and grab the AED. I think there are more life saving actions that we do. Let's say a lacrosse player breaks his leg in a game. The athletic trainer is there first to assess the injury and give comfort to the player. The lacrosse player is transported to the hospital and has surgery and/or is casted. But what the athletic trainer did and said from injury to surgery is key. We are here to make sure the athlete feels safe and believes that he/she will be ok. As athletic trainers, we take the broken leg athlete and we hold their hand until the ambulance arrives. We tell them that we will take care of them when they get out of the cast. We tell them that we will be there for rehab ever day until they are better. I know that being there for other injuries is just as live saving as a CPR instance. I know that when a player tears their ACL, they feel like their life is over because their season is over. But we can educate them, rehab them, and get them back on the field. This is why I love this profession so much. We save lives every day, no matter how big or small the injury is. And we don't look for a reward. It is rewarding enough to see the athlete back out on the field.
http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/life-saving-heroes-honored-in-layton
http://www.wfsb.com/story/27520760/high-school-athletic-trainer-saves-football-players-life
http://kdvr.com/2015/10/05/legend-h-s-football-player-says-his-schools-athletic-trainer-saved-his-life/
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Transistioning into New Roles
Wow. It's been a while since I've been able to post! I have been dealing with end of the season goodbyes with the Blue Crabs and moving on to bigger and better things. I am now the head athletic trainer for Bowie State University and I have been excited and nervous and anxious about the whole process. I think I have transitioned nicely, but I have only been at Bowie for 3 days (today will be 4) now, so I don't know if that transition is actually as smooth as planned. We'll see I guess!!
Anyways... Today I want to talk to you all about that transition. I have had to do multiple transitions during my career as an athletic trainer. The first one was from Student to Professional. Talk about a scary move! You no longer have a hand to hold, you have to do everything on your own. Maybe if you went from student to assistant it's a bit different. You still have someone there to bounce ideas off of and a second pair of eyes. But maybe not. Maybe the head isn't there all the time... I digress... I had to transition from student to professional at a high school with no one else there. It was a scary situation! I remember my first major incident. Football player got his finger stuck in a helmet at practice and was screaming that his finger was ripped off. All I was hoping to do was not freak out when I saw an acute amputation of a finger. Guess what? He didn't lose his finger, he was fine. But in that instance, I wanted someone there with me in case I was doing something wrong. I needed reassurance. But did I? No... I knew what I was doing! The next major injury came at a football game. Tib-fib fracture. Happened right in front of me. Heard the crack and everything. Told someone else to call 9-11. I was lucky enough to have a team doc on the sideline with me that reduced the fracture, and an EMT from the chain gang helped him put the splint on that I gave my doc. I had nothing to do, and to be honest, for a second I was relieved. But then I realized, this is my first tib-fib and I didn't get to be a part of it at all! I was so upset! Everyone else had it covered and all I did was hold the kids hand. Not that that isn't a huge part of the whole thing, the comfort of having someone there for you, but I still wanted to DO something. That's when I knew all my schooling had paid off. I was ready to be part of the action!
My next transition was from high school to professional sports. Wow... What a jump! I think I was more nervous for that transition than for the first one. I knew professional baseball was going to be more demanding than high school. The pressure to have an athlete immediately back on the field is super stressful. There isn't pressure like that in high school. You can say "You're injured, you're not playing" and athletes aren't happy and coaches aren't happy, but it's accepted. If someone gets injured in professional sports, it's "I need so and so by tomorrow at 4 pm, make it happen" and that's that. You need to be able to make a 4 week injury take a week or less to heal. You are not a miracle worker, but it is expected of you to exhaust all possible options. When I had a guy out with a concussion, I remembered my standard protocol. Out until symptoms are cleared up. Once cleared of symptoms for 24 hours, start 5 day return to play protocol. If symptoms come back, start over. That's not how it was with my stint as the athletic trainer for the Blue Crabs. Someone gets a concussion, they start return to play almost immediately. The player I just referred to went to the doctor that day. By the time he went to the doc, he was symptom free. Was cleared to start the RTP the next day. WHAT?! That's nothing I've ever heard of! He went through the protocol with flying colors. The only bad part about concussion in the League that I was in, no Impact testing or other cognitive testing. So I did not have a baseline. But still.... that's an example of an injury that should have taken longer that didn't. Also, you are more than just an athletic trainer in all situations, but this was very apparent here. I dealt with hotel set ups and making sure everyone was where they needed to be at the correct time. Doctor's appointments, physicals, bus schedule, meal money, worker's comp... I dealt with it all. Season 1 was definitely a learning season. Season 2, I had it down. But how different the experience was to go from high school to pros than from out of school to high school.
Now I come to my third transition... Professional to College. You would think that it would be easier because professional sports... Need I say more? However, I am now the head athletic trainer. I have never had someone under me until now. Having someone there and being their boss is kind of intimidating. Am I making the correct decision? Will I be a good role model? Am I someone to look up to? These are all questions I am asking myself every day. Besides that, college athletes are way different than high school or professional. Their attitudes about injuries are different. In high school it's more of "Oh I'm hurt because I don't want to practice", in professional it's "I'm injured but I need to play in 3 hours, figure it out", but in college its a good mix of both. Not that they want to get out of practice or they're rushing too fast to get in, but they understand they are injured and want to do everything they can to get better. You have some of the extremists to either side, but most of them UNDERSTAND. I'm not really used to that. High school they didn't care if they played or not, professionals wanted you to work miracles on broken bones... College athletes? They're a rare breed. And I'm enjoying what I'm seeing. I think that this is going to be a great transition, but I'm still nervous. What if they don't like the way I do things? What if I don't know something and my assistant judges that and thinks they should have hired someone else? I don't know...
It's tough to transition into something new. But you have to know that each transition is going to make you a better person. They wouldn't have hired you if they didn't think you had what it takes.
Anyone have any fun/scary/inspiring transition stories for us to learn from?
Anyways... Today I want to talk to you all about that transition. I have had to do multiple transitions during my career as an athletic trainer. The first one was from Student to Professional. Talk about a scary move! You no longer have a hand to hold, you have to do everything on your own. Maybe if you went from student to assistant it's a bit different. You still have someone there to bounce ideas off of and a second pair of eyes. But maybe not. Maybe the head isn't there all the time... I digress... I had to transition from student to professional at a high school with no one else there. It was a scary situation! I remember my first major incident. Football player got his finger stuck in a helmet at practice and was screaming that his finger was ripped off. All I was hoping to do was not freak out when I saw an acute amputation of a finger. Guess what? He didn't lose his finger, he was fine. But in that instance, I wanted someone there with me in case I was doing something wrong. I needed reassurance. But did I? No... I knew what I was doing! The next major injury came at a football game. Tib-fib fracture. Happened right in front of me. Heard the crack and everything. Told someone else to call 9-11. I was lucky enough to have a team doc on the sideline with me that reduced the fracture, and an EMT from the chain gang helped him put the splint on that I gave my doc. I had nothing to do, and to be honest, for a second I was relieved. But then I realized, this is my first tib-fib and I didn't get to be a part of it at all! I was so upset! Everyone else had it covered and all I did was hold the kids hand. Not that that isn't a huge part of the whole thing, the comfort of having someone there for you, but I still wanted to DO something. That's when I knew all my schooling had paid off. I was ready to be part of the action!
My next transition was from high school to professional sports. Wow... What a jump! I think I was more nervous for that transition than for the first one. I knew professional baseball was going to be more demanding than high school. The pressure to have an athlete immediately back on the field is super stressful. There isn't pressure like that in high school. You can say "You're injured, you're not playing" and athletes aren't happy and coaches aren't happy, but it's accepted. If someone gets injured in professional sports, it's "I need so and so by tomorrow at 4 pm, make it happen" and that's that. You need to be able to make a 4 week injury take a week or less to heal. You are not a miracle worker, but it is expected of you to exhaust all possible options. When I had a guy out with a concussion, I remembered my standard protocol. Out until symptoms are cleared up. Once cleared of symptoms for 24 hours, start 5 day return to play protocol. If symptoms come back, start over. That's not how it was with my stint as the athletic trainer for the Blue Crabs. Someone gets a concussion, they start return to play almost immediately. The player I just referred to went to the doctor that day. By the time he went to the doc, he was symptom free. Was cleared to start the RTP the next day. WHAT?! That's nothing I've ever heard of! He went through the protocol with flying colors. The only bad part about concussion in the League that I was in, no Impact testing or other cognitive testing. So I did not have a baseline. But still.... that's an example of an injury that should have taken longer that didn't. Also, you are more than just an athletic trainer in all situations, but this was very apparent here. I dealt with hotel set ups and making sure everyone was where they needed to be at the correct time. Doctor's appointments, physicals, bus schedule, meal money, worker's comp... I dealt with it all. Season 1 was definitely a learning season. Season 2, I had it down. But how different the experience was to go from high school to pros than from out of school to high school.
Now I come to my third transition... Professional to College. You would think that it would be easier because professional sports... Need I say more? However, I am now the head athletic trainer. I have never had someone under me until now. Having someone there and being their boss is kind of intimidating. Am I making the correct decision? Will I be a good role model? Am I someone to look up to? These are all questions I am asking myself every day. Besides that, college athletes are way different than high school or professional. Their attitudes about injuries are different. In high school it's more of "Oh I'm hurt because I don't want to practice", in professional it's "I'm injured but I need to play in 3 hours, figure it out", but in college its a good mix of both. Not that they want to get out of practice or they're rushing too fast to get in, but they understand they are injured and want to do everything they can to get better. You have some of the extremists to either side, but most of them UNDERSTAND. I'm not really used to that. High school they didn't care if they played or not, professionals wanted you to work miracles on broken bones... College athletes? They're a rare breed. And I'm enjoying what I'm seeing. I think that this is going to be a great transition, but I'm still nervous. What if they don't like the way I do things? What if I don't know something and my assistant judges that and thinks they should have hired someone else? I don't know...
It's tough to transition into something new. But you have to know that each transition is going to make you a better person. They wouldn't have hired you if they didn't think you had what it takes.
Anyone have any fun/scary/inspiring transition stories for us to learn from?
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