Nneka Ogwumike, 2016 WNBA MVP, Explains her Concussion History
This week’s feature from the CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall is power forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, Nneka Ogwumike. Nneka has experienced three concussions throughout her basketball career. While recovering, Nneka became aware of her sensitivity to heat, difficulty focusing and the tightness in her head. Now that she’s back on her feet, she has adjusted her practice to include neck exercises, and healthy daily habits to protect herself from additional brain injury. She is also excited about the resource the Story Wall will provide. “A concussion can happen at any time in any level of sport.” She says, “The Concussion Story Wall will help those impacted better understand how to manage such challenges. I especially appreciate the interactive nature of the database which allows users to find video narratives which resonate with their personal experiences.” Learn more about Nneka’s story by watching her videos on the CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall.
With six years of experience on the Sparks, Nneka Ogwumike was named to the WNBA All-Star team four times and All-WNBA Team three times. After being drafted No. 1 by the Sparks in 2012, Ogwumike was the WNBA Rookie of the Year. In 2016, she led her team to a WNBA Championship and was named the Most Valuable Player in the league. She recently represented the USA on a 12-woman roster that won the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain. Ogwumike is also the President of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). At Stanford, she was the second all-time leading scorer, and she led her team to four Final Four appearances.
We are grateful to Nneka for sharing her experience with all of us!
About Concussion Story Wall: This product features an interactive database of more than 4000 videos of individual stories relating to how an injury occurred, the symptoms experienced, and personal insights from those who have been injured by a concussion. It is intended as a comprehensive mental health resource for the many who are impacted including athletes, parents, coaches, officials, teachers, and military veterans, among others. It also serves as a referral source for athletic trainers, rehab specialists and physicians. An additional highlight includes a panel of 14 of the world’s leading medical experts addressing specific aspects of concussions related to symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and recovery. All CrashCourse concussion education products are available at no cost.
The CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall is proudly presented by TeachAids, BIAA, and the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS), in collaboration with the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) and 19 of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s National Governing Bodies (NGB). These NGBs include: USA Archery, USA Artistic Swimming, USA Baseball, USA Bobsled & Skeleton, USA Cycling, USA Diving, USA Fencing, USA Field Hockey, USA Football, USA Gymnastics, USA Hockey, USA Karate, US Lacrosse, US Ski & Snowboard, US Soccer, US Speedskating, USA Taekwondo, USA Triathlon and USA Wrestling.