On wearing your helmet
Hi friends. I hope you're all doing okay. I wanted to share what happened last Monday in the hopes of reminding you of the importance of helmets.
As you all know, I have two autoimmune diseases. One of which impacts the integrity of my spine. I'm extremely high risk for spinal fractures, so I have a body protector that I always wear. I've had a lot of stress and other things going on, and I completely spaced wearing my helmet.
Within 30 seconds of mounting, snow fell off the roof of our indoor, and King Nimbus spooked. Big time. I fell off, hit my back, then my head snapped back and hit the hard-packed indoor footing.
I immediately laughed it off, and got back on. I was always taught to get back on. It's ingrained into most of us in this sport I think. I rode through my lesson and an hour later I dismounted.
That's when I realized something was wrong.
I began experiencing intense dizziness, nausea, and a pounding headache at the base of my skull. Then my vision started going double. I got Nimbus put away, and went to urgent care.
They took one look at me and put me in a dark room. When the ARNP shined a light in my eyes, she said they were extremely dilated, fixed, and mostly unresponsive to light.
It turns out I have a severe concussion. I've been on strict rest and in the dark for the past week. I have several neurological deficits, and can't drive or ride my boy. I get confused often, have mood swings, mix up words, can't read a lot, have a constant stabbing pain in my head, and can't work.
I have to visit a brain injury rehab clinic because I've developed post concussion syndrome (this is my third in my life and the worst by far).
I know wearing a helmet is a highly personal decision, so I don't want to preach at anyone. I don't judge those who choose to go without. I just wish I'd had mine. It wouldn't have stopped the concussion because of the way I hit (I had whiplash from my neck snapping back) but it may have lessened the damage to my brain. Take from that what you will.
Anyways, I will forever be wearing my helmet. I have to be even more careful now, but this won't stop me from getting back on the horse at some point. My trainer promised to always remind me if I forget my helmet.
Stay safe out there folks. Much love from King Nimbus and I 💝
Hi friends. I hope you're all doing okay. I wanted to share what happened last Monday in the hopes of reminding you of the importance of helmets.
As you all know, I have two autoimmune diseases. One of which impacts the integrity of my spine. I'm extremely high risk for spinal fractures, so I have a body protector that I always wear. I've had a lot of stress and other things going on, and I completely spaced wearing my helmet.
Within 30 seconds of mounting, snow fell off the roof of our indoor, and King Nimbus spooked. Big time. I fell off, hit my back, then my head snapped back and hit the hard-packed indoor footing.
I immediately laughed it off, and got back on. I was always taught to get back on. It's ingrained into most of us in this sport I think. I rode through my lesson and an hour later I dismounted.
That's when I realized something was wrong.
I began experiencing intense dizziness, nausea, and a pounding headache at the base of my skull. Then my vision started going double. I got Nimbus put away, and went to urgent care.
They took one look at me and put me in a dark room. When the ARNP shined a light in my eyes, she said they were extremely dilated, fixed, and mostly unresponsive to light.
It turns out I have a severe concussion. I've been on strict rest and in the dark for the past week. I have several neurological deficits, and can't drive or ride my boy. I get confused often, have mood swings, mix up words, can't read a lot, have a constant stabbing pain in my head, and can't work.
I have to visit a brain injury rehab clinic because I've developed post concussion syndrome (this is my third in my life and the worst by far).
I know wearing a helmet is a highly personal decision, so I don't want to preach at anyone. I don't judge those who choose to go without. I just wish I'd had mine. It wouldn't have stopped the concussion because of the way I hit (I had whiplash from my neck snapping back) but it may have lessened the damage to my brain. Take from that what you will.
Anyways, I will forever be wearing my helmet. I have to be even more careful now, but this won't stop me from getting back on the horse at some point. My trainer promised to always remind me if I forget my helmet.
Stay safe out there folks. Much love from King Nimbus and I 💝