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New troubling details emerge on the death former Washington Capitals player
Photo credit: WTOP
The world was stunned by the news of former Washington Capitals forward Chris Simon's death last year. Now, new and troubling details have come to light, shedding attention on the serious issue of chronic traumatic encephlapothy.
After his death, Chris Simon's parents donated his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center, and a breaking analyses revealed that Chris Simon suffered from stage three CTE.
«Mr. Simon had severe CTE pathology in areas of the brain involved with cognition and mood regulation, and it is likely CTE contributed to his memory problems, depression, and apathy,» Dr. Ann McKee, chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System, said.
«Individuals with a significant history of repetitive head impacts in sports who report these symptoms need to be taken seriously, and our team is committed to providing them the care they need while also continuing to advance CTE research.»
Chris Simon diagnosed with stage 3 CTE
The statement from Chris Simon 's parents, Linda and John, and his sister Charlee reads:
Chris was suffering tremendously from CTE. We saw him declining but did not know where to turn to for help. Chris' short term memory issues were ongoing for many years.
We also learned that he had lost most of his hearing, had daily headaches, light sensitivity, paranoia, was easily frustrated with tasks, had extreme anxiety, difficulty navigating in a vehicle, apathy- lack of feeling and emotion, impulsivity, distancing himself from those who meant the most to him, had executive dysfunction - meaning he couldn't plan or problem solve and he had suicidal thoughts at times.
Chris really distanced himself from his family and friends the last three years of his life. This has been extremely difficult on us, as the Chris we knew had been gone for quite some time. Looking back we now realize that Chris likely started suffering from CTE in his late 20s to early 30s.
Our entire family suffered for many years as we saw our son, brother, father, husband slip away from us and we couldn't do anything to help him. Before we lost Chris to CTE, he was a very gentle, loving man whose family meant the world to him.
We know that Chris would want more than anything that former players and families now know where to turn to for help if they suspect their loved one is suffering from TBI, PCS and CTE so they can get the support they desperately need.
Our family is extremely thankful to Dr. Ann McKee, Lisa McHale and all staff at Boston University CTE Center and the Concussion Legacy Foundation for all of their work and support.
We are relieved that stage 3 CTE was definitively found in his brain as it will help bring some closure and healing to his family and friends. The unfortunate feeling of anger is also present due to the negligence of a professional league turning a blind eye to CTE and other significant brain injuries sustained in the sport of hockey.
We also learned that he had lost most of his hearing, had daily headaches, light sensitivity, paranoia, was easily frustrated with tasks, had extreme anxiety, difficulty navigating in a vehicle, apathy- lack of feeling and emotion, impulsivity, distancing himself from those who meant the most to him, had executive dysfunction - meaning he couldn't plan or problem solve and he had suicidal thoughts at times.
Chris really distanced himself from his family and friends the last three years of his life. This has been extremely difficult on us, as the Chris we knew had been gone for quite some time. Looking back we now realize that Chris likely started suffering from CTE in his late 20s to early 30s.
Our entire family suffered for many years as we saw our son, brother, father, husband slip away from us and we couldn't do anything to help him. Before we lost Chris to CTE, he was a very gentle, loving man whose family meant the world to him.
We know that Chris would want more than anything that former players and families now know where to turn to for help if they suspect their loved one is suffering from TBI, PCS and CTE so they can get the support they desperately need.
Our family is extremely thankful to Dr. Ann McKee, Lisa McHale and all staff at Boston University CTE Center and the Concussion Legacy Foundation for all of their work and support.
We are relieved that stage 3 CTE was definitively found in his brain as it will help bring some closure and healing to his family and friends. The unfortunate feeling of anger is also present due to the negligence of a professional league turning a blind eye to CTE and other significant brain injuries sustained in the sport of hockey.
Since his passing, massive steps have been taken by the NHL and the NHLPA to educate players on the impact of CTE's.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 15 | 39 ANSWERS New troubling details emerge on the death former Washington Capitals player Have you ever know someone who suffered from a CTE? | ||
| Yes | 14 | 35.9 % |
| No | 25 | 64.1 % |
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