Nowadays James McGinnis' workouts are a lot different than they used to be.
"It's been pretty hard to learn my own stability and getting back on my own feet - just walking around was probably one of the hardest things to relearn," said McGinnis.
Two years ago, the
Olathe East outside linebacker went in for a play and ended up suffering a traumatic brain injury when his opponent hit him in the head.
James McGinnis, 20, is still recovering from a head injury he sustained during a football game two years ago.
"I just hope it really gets down into the core of the whole team and they take head injuries seriously," the former football player explained.
Now he's sharing his story and the importance of imPACT, a neurocognitive test that sets a baseline before a player is injured.
According to the website, imPACT, or Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, is a "computerized concussion management tool available. imPACT is used by more than 7,400 high schools, 1,000 colleges and universities, 900 clinical centers, 200 professional teams, and some military units, expressly so medical clinicians, and other qualified healthcare providers, can better manage this injury."
Once an injury happens, the player retakes the test to see if brain injury has occurred.
"What could happen to a kid and for an adult like me to see that directly what could happen to a kid is very impactful," said Brad Sweeten the athletic director for Center School District in south Kansas City. "When I played it was like shake it off and get back out there but nowadays, we need to take better care of our kids because we understand what these circumstances can lead to."
Sweeten helped bring McGinnis and impact testing to the Center School District. A grant through the Research Foundation at Research Medical Center helped pay for the school to get this impactful and possibly lifesaving training.
"The work he is doing is very important," said Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad, the director of neurosciences at Research Medical Center. "Prevention. The signs and symptoms of any injury. Recognize right on the field. Examine the person right away and see how bad the impact the person has. The person should immediately be taken off from the field because the second impact - if you have a second concussion, is much worse immediately."
McGinnis works with ThinkFirst About Concussions to spread the word about the causes, signs, dangers and treatment of head injuries. He regularly speaks at schools, like Center High School, to inform student athletes and their coaches about how to prevent injuries obtained during sports.
"Don't play dumb," said McGinnis. "Literally. It's your life that's on the line."
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Terra Hall can be reached at terra.hall@kshb.com.
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