Former American Professional Snowboarder Kevin Pearce Talks About His TBI
This week’s highlight from the CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall is former professional snowboarder, Kevin Pearce. At the height of his career, Kevin suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that required several years of rehab for recovery. He was told during this time that some of his symptoms, such as double vision, would never go away. Ten years later, finally feels like he is in a place where his injury is no longer a daily aspect of his life. “I hope my recovery story empowers others to never lose hope despite the odds,” he says. Learn more about his experience on the CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall.
Kevin Pearce was the first man to earn two Air & Style rings in a single season. He won the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour and was crowned the overall Ticket to Ride World Champion. In 2008, Kevin became the first athlete to compete in three X Game events in a day, earning 2nd in Slope Style and Big Air and 3rd in Halfpipe. While training for the Olympic Trials in 2009, he suffered a traumatic brain injury, ending his professional snowboarding career. He is currently a Sports Ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society and an advocate for research on Traumatic Brain Injuries. In 2011, he received the Victory Award from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in recognition of his courage in overcoming his injury and his advocacy for brain-injury awareness through his foundation, Love Your Brain.
We are grateful to Kevin for sharing his 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.