Pucci and Decker: Women's Hockey & Concussions
Here is my interview with Josephine Pucci and Paige Decker who were both featured to today in the well-done NYTimes article by Seth Berkman. Pucci and Decker will be speaking on the female athlete panel at the Feb 2016 PINKconcussions International Summit. Josephine Pucci was a player and captain of The Harvard Crimson Women's Ice Hockey Team and United States Women's National Ice Hockey Team. Paige Decker played on Yale’s Women's Ice Hockey Team.
I know you both suffered a career ending concussions playing hockey, but tell me what playing hockey meant to you? What did you get from playing hockey that you couldn't get anywhere else?
USA Hockey/Nancie Battaglia
Pucci: I have spent many hours playing ice hockey and training, making long car rides to games and practices, and enjoying time with friends from the hockey community. My whole family was involved – my two younger sisters played, my dad coached, my mom was always driving us and supporting us. It meant a lot to us for many years! I gained life-long lessons and life-long friendships. Through hockey I have experienced some of the best moments of my life and some of the toughest.
Decker: I started playing hockey at age four and competed until I suffered a life-altering concussion at age twenty-one while playing at Yale. Hockey kept me driven and focused during the most formative years of my life. It gave me the opportunity to travel across the continent and compete with and against some of the best players in the world, all while learning valuable life lessons, pushing my body to its limits, and creating friendships that will last a lifetime. It taught me the true meaning of hard work, resilience, determination and teamwork. Hockey is a special sport and will always have a very special place in my heart.
If you had a daughter who wanted to play hockey, would you let her?
Pucci: I have seen negative consequences that can occur from head injuries, but I have also seen the good that comes out of hockey. Right now we just don’t know enough about concussions, and I hope that we know more by the time I have kids who are ready to begin playing sports.
Decker: The sports climate is beginning to change as a result of concussions. I think by the time I have to make that decision, hockey will be safer and we will have a better understanding of concussions.
If you let her play, what would you do differently?
Pucci: I would educate her and make sure she has an understanding of concussions; although sports teach players how to be mentally and physically tough, concussions are not an injury anyone should “tough out”.
Decker: I would make sure she is educated on concussions and how to handle them if she were ever to get one. I’d get her in front of the right doctors for evaluation and also teach her some neck strengthening exercises as a preventative measure to combat concussions.
What would you look for in a coach or a team as far as supporting safety?
Pucci: Safety should always be the priority, especially when it comes to your brain.
Decker: It’s crucial that coaches, teammates and trainers are vigilant when it comes to identifying and reporting concussions. No one, whether directly or indirectly, should ever pressure a player with a possible concussion to play. The “suck it up” culture in sports cannot apply in the context of brain injuries.
When and how did you first learn about concussions?
Pucci: Around age 10 I hit my head pretty hard while snowboarding; I did not know anything about concussions but I remember the word “concussion” being thrown around as a possible injury from the fall. Years later I saw a youtube video of Flyers forward Sami Kapanen getting checked and then falling numerous times on his way back to the bench. Even then, I had absolutely no idea how serious concussions could be. It wasn’t until I got a few concussions myself when I actually understood how life-changing they could be.
Decker: I don’t remember them being an overly common injury while I was in high school, but at Yale many players on my team suffered concussions so I became more familiar with them that way.
When and how was the first time your hockey team officially educated you about concussions?
Pucci: I cannot remember being successfully educated on concussions on any team. Unfortunately, most of what I learned is from having concussions myself, speaking with doctors, and doing research. I wish I knew then what I know now!
Decker: At Yale our team (as well as every other varsity team) was required to watch a 10-15 minute educational video on concussions before every season.
When did you first play hockey and have an athletic trainer as part of your team?
Pucci: In high school
Decker: In high school we had one trainer who handled the needs of every sports team. It wasn’t until playing hockey at Yale that a trainer was paired specifically with one of my teams.
Did you ever hide a concussion from a coach or trainer? Or did you know of teammates who did?
Pucci: I never lied or hid my symptoms; for a couple of my concussions I did have a mentality of wanting to get back to my sport as quickly as possible. It was not until my most serious concussion when I realized that I needed to be patient and that getting my full health back was more important than anything else.
Decker: Absolutely. I played hockey with what ended up being a career-ending concussion for two straight days before reporting it to my trainer. I know of plenty of teammates who have done the same, which is a big problem and something that needs to change.
How many concussions have you had?
Pucci: I have had many jolting hits throughout my career. During my time in college, 2 of my concussions led me to miss a few hockey games and miss a couple of my classes; 1 of my concussions forced me to miss school and hockey for an entire year.
Decker: One. I’ve taken plenty of sub-concussive type blows but the concussion I endured in November of 2013 was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.
Tell me how the medical community supported you and helped your healing?
Pucci: During all of my concussions I was told to rest until the symptoms subsided. It was not until my most serious concussion when I was offered an active approach to overcoming my symptoms. I had brain scans after 2 of my concussions, I have had neurocognitive testing done, and I have done many eye exercises.
Decker: It took me a long time to find the right doctors to help me, but a year and half into my recovery I went to a concussion program called Neurosport in Ann Arbor, Michigan and it began to turn things around for me. The doctors were able to identify the issues with my neck that were perpetuating concussion-like symptoms and treat them appropriately. They have been incredibly supportive throughout my recovery and I feel so grateful to have found them.
Tell me any examples of how the medical community did not support you and if it was a barrier to your treatment?
Pucci: There are times when my concussions could have been diagnosed sooner, or when I should have had more time off before being cleared.
Decker: I generally felt really misguided until I found the Neurosport concussion program. Many doctors were supportive and did what they could before then, but simply didn’t know how to help me. Some actually suggested my symptoms were all in my head and many gave me incorrect treatment. This struggle to find answers is the biggest reason I started my blog, The Invisible Injury (www.theinvisibleinjury.net), which details my two-year long concussion journey. We need to have better systems in place to ensure that concussion patients get the correct care on day one
In my research study comparing female and male athletes and why they hid their concussions, I found that females were more likely to hide concussions than men due to lack of awareness and lack of resources (an athletic trainer to whom to report). What is your experience compared to my findings?
Pucci: I certainly do believe these findings. If athletes are not aware of the seriousness of a concussion then they may be more likely to respond to them the way they have learned to respond to every other injury - to play through it. And I think lack of resources, as well as lack of good resources, is true; it is crucial for trainers/coaches/doctors to be proactive and knowledgeable. I think trainers/coaches/doctors have the ability to really influence the concussion culture among players. If trainers are not proactive enough, players may think it is okay to play through brain injuries. However, if trainers are too strict, and don't treat concussions on a case by case basis, then that could also lead players to hide concerns. Sometimes athletes may not even know if she has a concussion, and during these instances athletes need to be honest and hopefully trainers are equipped to act accordingly.
Decker: These are very interesting and informative findings. For me, I would say my reasons for hiding my concussion erred more towards sports culture and allegiance to team. However, I was definitely not fully aware of the risks of continuing to play with a concussion so that factored in as well.
Thank you for your time, Josephine and Paige. I look forward to hearing both of you speak at the PINKconcussions International Summit on Female Concussions and other TBIs.
