Dementia, CTE symptoms, early Parkinson?s, depression: Former Bulldog Nigel Kellett living a concussion nightmare

[josie]

Mid 50's Josie.
A former boss of mines best friends wife is late 40's and she's been diagnosed as medium level of dementia.

Yeah-typo - I knew Nigel was younger than me playing with Johnno etc. There?s a sweet woman at my 95 yo mum?s aged care who looks to be in her maybe late 40s maybe 50s. Said she was a primary schoolteacher, charming person. I thought she was visitor and my Mum explained she has early dementia. She met my Mum one day and forgot about meeting her the next. Bloody awful.

[josie]

Because helmets do bugger all to prevent your brain rattling around in your head. They might prevent a fractured skull but that's about it. American football and their almost motorbike helmets are a case in point.

In fact there is a school of thought that helmets could actually make things worse as players incorrectly assume they offer protection and are even more reckless in approaching contests.

To back up Axe Man here?s a good, recent article:
https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/20...n-experts-warn

[FrediKanoute]

Because helmets do bugger all to prevent your brain rattling around in your head. They might prevent a fractured skull but that's about it. American football and their almost motorbike helmets are a case in point.

In fact there is a school of thought that helmets could actually make things worse as players incorrectly assume they offer protection and are even more reckless in approaching contests.

True. When our youngest started tackle rugby we looked into it. The stop cauliflower ears and possibly head wounds etc, bu that is about it

[Topdog]

wow that was a tough read, feel incredibly bad for Nigel

[jeemak]

The AFL and the public needs to tread carefully here, but not as much as the media does. That was a terrible read and I hate what is happening to Nigel and those around him who are impacted.

I recently lost my father to Alzheimer's disease, or more specifically (or generally), the difficulties and complications that occur when stricken by it and other ailments take hold.

He was 78, and it was a pretty text book progression from diagnosis, to "sundowner" symptoms, madness, anger, the lot. It was horrible.

But it can always be worse. My best mate's ex-partner, mother of his three kids never played sport and was struck with early onset dementia four or five years ago (time flies when you're having fun, right) and she didn't experience any head trauma over the journey. Another friend's father suffered from it and died rapidly in his sixties (after the court cases for fraud and jail).

These sorts of articles aren't helpful in the current climate and I question the motivation, not of Nigel and his partner, but the author.

[josie]

The AFL and the public needs to tread carefully here, but not as much as the media does. That was a terrible read and I hate what is happening to Nigel and those around him who are impacted.

I recently lost my father to Alzheimer's disease, or more specifically (or generally), the difficulties and complications that occur when stricken by it and other ailments take hold.

He was 78, and it was a pretty text book progression from diagnosis, to "sundowner" symptoms, madness, anger, the lot. It was horrible.

But it can always be worse. My best mate's ex-partner, mother of his three kids never played sport and was struck with early onset dementia four or five years ago (time flies when you're having fun, right) and she didn't experience any head trauma over the journey. Another friend's father suffered from it and died rapidly in his sixties (after the court cases for fraud and jail).

These sorts of articles aren't helpful in the current climate and I question the motivation, not of Nigel and his partner, but the author.

Good points. Hoping there?s a lot more research & statistical analysis so we can make more informed decisions & judgements of causes & effects etc.

[Bulldog4life]

The AFL and the public needs to tread carefully here, but not as much as the media does. That was a terrible read and I hate what is happening to Nigel and those around him who are impacted.

I recently lost my father to Alzheimer's disease, or more specifically (or generally), the difficulties and complications that occur when stricken by it and other ailments take hold.

He was 78, and it was a pretty text book progression from diagnosis, to "sundowner" symptoms, madness, anger, the lot. It was horrible.

But it can always be worse. My best mate's ex-partner, mother of his three kids never played sport and was struck with early onset dementia four or five years ago (time flies when you're having fun, right) and she didn't experience any head trauma over the journey. Another friend's father suffered from it and died rapidly in his sixties (after the court cases for fraud and jail).

These sorts of articles aren't helpful in the current climate and I question the motivation, not of Nigel and his partner, but the author.

So sorry to hear about your dad Jee.

[jeemak]

So sorry to hear about your dad Jee.

Thanks mate. Sad, but OK.

[GVGjr]

The AFL and the public needs to tread carefully here, but not as much as the media does. That was a terrible read and I hate what is happening to Nigel and those around him who are impacted.

I recently lost my father to Alzheimer's disease, or more specifically (or generally), the difficulties and complications that occur when stricken by it and other ailments take hold.

He was 78, and it was a pretty text book progression from diagnosis, to "sundowner" symptoms, madness, anger, the lot. It was horrible.

But it can always be worse. My best mate's ex-partner, mother of his three kids never played sport and was struck with early onset dementia four or five years ago (time flies when you're having fun, right) and she didn't experience any head trauma over the journey. Another friend's father suffered from it and died rapidly in his sixties (after the court cases for fraud and jail).

These sorts of articles aren't helpful in the current climate and I question the motivation, not of Nigel and his partner, but the author.

Thanks for sharing Jee and my deepest condolences.
I do some volunteering at an aged care facility and I know its a challenging time for the next of kin and family of Dementia sufferers. You wouldn't wish it upon anyone.