COUNTYWIDE CONCUSSION CARE LLC
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA

Thank you for visiting Countywide Concussion Care. My name is David Goldstein. I am a volunteer of the KiDZ Neuroscience Center at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. I am also a spokesperson for the Brain Injury Association of Florida’s statewide Mind Your Brain Campaign to raise public awareness about concussions and to push for passage of the sports concussion legislation. I am dedicated to improving awareness and treatment of concussions. I know first-hand the importance of concussion awareness and prevention, as well as making sure that people who have sustained a head injury get access to the right medical treatment as soon as possible. The ImPACT Test is the only concussion test of its kind. All it requires is a qualified administrator (Dr. Hotz), software, a computer, a keyboard, and a mouse. It tests reflexes, memory, and mental speed by giving tests and grading the score. The ImPACT Test only takes twenty to thirty minutes. A baseline test is taken before the sports season starts, and another test is taken after a trauma to the head. The administrator then analyzes the information from these tests in order to properly protect the athlete. The test consists of several sections, for example in one in which either a blue square or a red circle is repeatedly flashed on the screen. If a blue square is shown, the test taker presses “p” on the keyboard, where as if a red circle is shown, the test taker presses “q” on the keyboard. This section simply but accurately tests reflexes, and shows how helpful the ImPACT test is in diagnosing concussions. This idea of providing education and ImPACT testing to public high schools snowballed into my project, Countywide Concussion Care. For the past several months I have been working to provide ImPACT Testing and concussion education the public high schools of Miami Dade County. I kicked off Countywide Concussion Care with an assembly at my school. Dr. Hotz agreed to come and teach the students about what a concussion is and the risks of concussion. Dr. Hotz is the head of the KiDZ Neuroscience Center at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, so she helped me get Marc Buonoconti, president of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and cover story subject for the August 24, 2009 edition of Sen. Anitere Flores of Miami and Rep. Ronald Renuart of Ponte Vedra Beach sponsored the bill to protect young athletes (HB291, SB256). The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is now required to adopt policies informing youth athletes and parents of the nature and risk of head injuries. Athletes also need a parental consent form before practicing or competing. Players sustaining a suspected head injury are immediately suspended from play until receiving clearance from a qualified medical professional. The Brain Injury Association of Florida, National Football League, FHSAA, and a statewide Sports Concussion Task Force of medical experts, athletic officials and health care providers supported the bill. Once again, thank you very much for visiting Countywide Concussion Care. If you wish to donate, which would be much appreciated, or if you have any questions please contact me. Thank you.