Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Monica Petrosino Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Monica Petrosino I want concussion awareness to become an absolute staple in sports. Monica Petrosino dedicated almost 20 years to ice hockey and ascended to the elite level of playing for Team GB, but her dreams were tragically dropped when a serious concussion forced her to accept retirement at the age of 24. “During a game in 2014, I was skating at full pelt when someone took my feet out from underneath and another came straight into me,” said Monica. “My head slammed onto the ice. I don’t think anyone realised the severity of what had happened.” Monica was sent home and had severe headaches and sickness, but no-one suspected a concussion. “The next day I was brought into another game. About five minutes in, I completely blacked out. I was taken to A&E, which is where the injury was picked up. “For the next three to six weeks I had sickness, nausea, headaches… I felt sleepy all the time, but the worst symptom was speech disturbance. I really struggled for a year to get back into hockey. My motivation and reaction times were drastically different. Despite the challenges, Monica’s love and tenacity for the sport saw her being reselected for the GB Women’s Senior Team. But a series of minor knocks to the head along the way culminated when she sustained another hit during the 2019 World Championships. “I eventually decided that it was time to retire. I still get upset about the fact that I can’t play.” Monica’s retirement didn’t end her career in ice hockey though, as she decided to start coaching instead. She is also now studying a degree in Psychology. “There is a life after sport, and it isn’t what completely defines you. If you have to step down because of a concussion, you will get that amazing buzz from something else.” Monica with her GB Ice Hockey teammates Monica dedicated almost 20 years to ice hockey Monica is now a keen advocate of raising concussion awareness. “I want concussion awareness to become an absolute staple in sports. I want there to be protocols, not just at GB level but at a club level as well. I don’t care if I need to shout at the top of my lungs to tell everyone repeatedly, everyone needs to know. Back to stories index Concussion Aware At Headway, we want to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy sport, while being better protected from the risks of concussion. Find out more Mild head injury and concussion Essential information on the causes, effects and possible complications of mild head injury, also known as concussion Find out more Supporting you From local groups or branches, our Emergency Fund, Brain Injury Identity Card, helpline and much more, find out how Headway can support you after brain injury. Find out more Related resources Concussion in sport Mild head injury and concussion Friends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk Help us improve life after brain injury. Donate Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244 Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or email helpline@headway.org.uk Join our online Community 27k Likes 25k Followers 3k Subscribers Privacy policy Cookies Terms & Conditions Accessibility Contact Us Resource centre Find a Headway Approved care providers Charity shops Fundraising comments, feedback and complaints Vacancies Join our mailing list Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893. © Copyright Headway 2021 - Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker By clicking 'Accept All Cookies’ you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. This will help us to offer the best possible experience and develop more of the information you need. Accept All Cookies Cookies Settings