- Comment: My son was concussed
- Catch the full episode of Insight at 8.30PM AEDT on SBS ONE
When Michael Lipman decided to retire from professional rugby in 2012, his doctors were relieved.
Two different neurosurgeons advised him to quit the game as the side-effects of repeated concussions worsened but he refused.
Lipman told SBS Insight he was too “ambitious” and kept playing despite because he “didn’t think it would be a problem.”
While he can't put an exact number on it, he believes he's had over 30 concussions in his career - the first one at age 15.
“Personally your memory goes a little," he said."In terms of post symptoms, they just take longer and longer to subside, the disorientation and the dizziness."
"I can be quite forgetful, a little bit spaced out. That’s quite common for someone that has had multiple concussions."
"Those feelings and being a bit fainty are common."
Professional sporting codes including AFL, NRL and Rugby have put a lot of effort into improving how they deal with concussions on the field.
But this isn’t necessarily filtering down to the amateur and junior levels. And when it comes to kids, experts argue there’s even more to worry about.
Developmental neuroscientist Dave Ellemberg says his research dispels the myth that children’s brains recover more quickly than adults.
“The developing brain is actually more fragile to the impact of a concussion,” Dr Ellemberg says.
While referees are getting harsher on players and new laws on scrums, Michael Lipman says if he had kids, he wouldn't want them to play.
“If I have kids, I’ll tell you what, I’d get them holding a golf club or tennis racquet. I wouldn’t want them playing union.”
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