I was thinking about attending the NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday but I didn't once I found out that Dale Earnhardt Jr. wouldn't be racing because of a concussion.
Junior, as he would be referred to by North Carolinians or NASCAR fans, is not my favorite driver, Jeff Gordon is, but is probably my second favorite now. Funny because I used to hate Jr. I didn't want to go to a race without him racing in it. What fun would that be?
Jr. sat out because of a concussion. He did this in the middle of his sports playoffs. Some may question whether his father would have sat out. His father may have raced with a concussion.
I am glad Jr. did not. As much as it sucked that he didn't race, I understand just how devastating concussions can be, and I think it's a good thing that people are being very careful with them.
My family has been effected by them. One of my cousins has yet to recover from a brain injury he suffered in a car accident...and he was just about to get a doctorate from MIT. He can no longer really function. I haven't heard from him in years now. All I have heard is that he basically sits in a dark house.
My great aunt hit her head when she slipped in the bathroom at 96 years old. She got a concussion and started to forget things that she never used too, like eating. She would sometimes forget to do that. Although, she did have amazing coordination.
It's important that everyone understands the dangers associated with brain injuries. When a famous NASCAR driver takes time off from racing it helps underscore the importance of taking care of concussions.
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