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Rodne to join Lystedt
family, governor in opening of
new sports concussion program
5th District lawmaker sponsors bill inspired by
constituent Zackery Lystedt
Rep. Jay
Rodne will join the Lystedt family and Gov. Chris Gregoire Tuesday in
opening
the University of Washington Medicine/Seattle Children’s
Sports Concussion Program at Harborview Medical Center. The new program
and partnership were created by
House Bill 1824,
the Zackery Lystedt law, which was sponsored by Rodne
in the 2009 legislative session.
House Bill 1824, which had broad
bipartisan support, requires
development and dissemination of information regarding
the nature and risks of concussions and head injuries to
parents, players and coaches. It also includes a simple, non-discretionary mandate to coaches:
if a player is suspected of having a
concussion, that player must be removed from play or
practice and cannot return until cleared by a health-care provider licensed in the management and treatment
of concussions.
"I'm proud to have partnered
with members of the courageous Lystedt family on this
legislation. They are
committed to reforming youth athletics in our state to ensure that Zackery’s
tragedy does not happen again," said Rodne, R-North Bend.
"Our
goal was for school
districts to work with the Washington Interscholastic
Activities Association to develop guidelines and
inform coaches, athletes and parents of the dangers of
head injuries. The new sports concussion program is
an important extension of this goal."
Details of the event are as follows:
Harborview Medical
Center – Seattle Sports Concussion Clinic
908
Jefferson Street – 5th floor
3:00 p.m.
Seattle
On Oct. 12, 2006,
a then 13-year-old Zackery Lystedt of Maple Valley was playing in a middle school football
game when he sustained a head injury while making a
tackle. Although he showed signs of a concussion, he did not leave play. Near the
end of the game, Zackery collapsed and had to be
airlifted to Harborview Medical Center for emergency
surgery to relieve swelling on his brain. He spent 31 days in a coma, followed by
more than a year of
intensive therapy at a Dallas, Texas
rehabilitation center. Despite incredible progress, Zackery
remains unable to walk or function without 24-hour care.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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