ABC27 WHTM Carlisle athletic trainers support concussion bill

Carlisle athletic trainers support concussion bill

Legislation to change how head injuries to young athletes are handled is on its way to the desk of Gov. Tom Corbett.

The bill would require any student showing symptoms of a concussion or head injury to get clearance from a medical professional before they are allowed to practice to play with the team.

A new law could change how many athletic programs operate, but not in Carlisle where a similar protocol is already in effect. Richard Burkholder, a certified athletic trainer for Carlisle schools for more than 50 years, said the district has been taking head injuries seriously for years.

"It's our job to protect these kids from further injury," Burkholder said. "The coach does not get told how to coach football, and we don't expect the coach to make that evaluation and tell us how to run our sports med program."

For several years, all student-athletes in the Carlisle district have been required to take a mental competency test every two years as part of the district's Impact Program.

Once a student has a head injury, they have to score within a close range of their initial baseline score from the test before they are allowed back on the field, no matter how long that might take.

"It just takes time. Some people it takes a couple days, sometimes a couple weeks, sometimes a couple months, and it has to be checked out so it's not a lifelong injury," Burkholder said.

The bill has a lot of support from the medical community and local politicians. Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York) said after looking at the long-term damage from concussions, it's clear the legislation will help protect children.

"I think it's the best thing we could have done for the kids," she said.