Rodne to join Lystedt family, governor in opening of new sports concussion program
Rep. Jay Rodne will join the Lystedt family and Gov. Chris Gregoire Tuesday in opening the University of Washington Medicine/Seattle Children’s Sports Concussion Program at Harborview Medical Center. The new program and partnership were created by House Bill 1824, the Zackery Lystedt law, which was sponsored by Rodne in the 2009 legislative session.
House Bill 1824, which had broad bipartisan support, requires development and dissemination of information regarding the nature and risks of concussions and head injuries to parents, players and coaches. It also includes a simple, non-discretionary mandate to coaches: if a player is suspected of having a concussion, that player must be removed from play or practice and cannot return until cleared by a health-care provider licensed in the management and treatment of concussions.
“I’m proud to have partnered with members of the courageous Lystedt family on this legislation. They are committed to reforming youth athletics in our state to ensure that Zackery’s tragedy does not happen again,” said Rodne, R-North Bend. “Our goal was for school districts to work with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to develop guidelines and inform coaches, athletes and parents of the dangers of head injuries. The new sports concussion program is an important extension of this goal.”
Details of the event are as follows:
Harborview Medical Center – Seattle Sports Concussion Clinic
908 Jefferson Street – 5th floor
3:00 p.m.
Seattle
On Oct. 12, 2006, a then 13-year-old Zackery Lystedt of Maple Valley was playing in a middle school football game when he sustained a head injury while making a tackle. Although he showed signs of a concussion, he did not leave play. Near the end of the game, Zackery collapsed and had to be airlifted to Harborview Medical Center for emergency surgery to relieve swelling on his brain. He spent 31 days in a coma, followed by more than a year of intensive therapy at a Dallas, Texas rehabilitation center. Despite incredible progress, Zackery remains unable to walk or function without 24-hour care.
