George Visger’s Letter to Dr. Ellenbogen
Last week, the NFL announced the appointment of two doctors to their newly-renamed NFL Head, Neck and Spine Medical Committee (formerly co-chaired by Dr. No Ira Casson as the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury – MTBI – Committee). Here’s a clip from the New York Times’ Alan Schwarz:
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N.F.L. Picks New Chairmen for Panel on Concussions
By ALAN SCHWARZ
Published: March 16, 2010
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The N.F.L. further distanced itself from its tumultuous past regarding concussions on Tuesday by selecting two new co-chairmen for a renamed policy committee and accepting the resignation of one of that group’s most prominent members.
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The decision was the latest of several moves by the league concerning its head-injury rules since an embarrassing hearing before the House Judiciary Committee in October that capped three years of mounting controversy.
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Dr. H. Hunt Batjer, the chairman of neurological surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Evanston, Ill., and Dr. Richard G. Ellenbogen, the chief of neurological surgery at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, were chosen by Commissioner Roger Goodell to lead what has been rechristened the N.F.L. head, neck and spine medical committee. It had been called the mild traumatic brain injury committee — named after the common scientific term for concussion — since its founding in 1994.
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In addition to the official announcement, the league spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed that Dr. Elliot Pellman, the committee’s sole chairman until he resigned that position in 2007 while remaining a forceful member of the panel, would no longer be a member of the group. Pellman, also the Jets’ team physician, had treated players for concussions and authored policies on the injury in ways that were strongly criticized by outside experts.
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Read the rest of Alan Schwarz’ New York Times piece – click HERE.
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And as much as most of the focus continues to be on active players and protecting them from the obvious effects of brain concussions, we need to maintain an unwavering focus on the effects of concussions to most of the retired players. Dr. Ellenbogen’s credentials: Professor and Chairman of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine, the Theodore S. Roberts Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery, the Chief of Neurological Surgery at Harborview Medical Center, Professor of Radiology and Neurological Surgery Residency Program Director. We also understand that Dr. Ellenbogen was invaluable for his contribution to the Washington State Lystadt Law that requires medical clearance for young athletes after they suffer a concussion. (It was named for Zach Lystadt who became paralyzed after being sent back in twice by his coach to finish his high football school game. The Lystadt Law is currently considered one of the toughest in the country and is now used as the model for other states to follow. Read that earlier post – click HERE). The University of Washington is considered one of the leading institutions in neurosurgery.
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We continue to watch with guarded optimism – here’s George Visger’s letter to Dr. Ellenbogen:
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Dear Dr. Ellenbogen:
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I would like to personally welcome you as the new head of the MILD Traumatic Brain Injury group. I must be honest when I say I find the term MILD very offensive. I am on my 9th VP Shunt emergency brain surgery since first developing hydrocephalus during my second season in the NFL (I was a DT with the 49ers). My first brain surgery occurred during the 81 Super Bowl season, and had shunt revisions # 2 and # 3 ten hours apart, just 4 months after we won Super Bowl XVI. I was given last rites during surgery # 3, and was forced to sue for Workers Comp to get my hospital bills paid for. Creditors chased me for payment until I won my Workers Comp case in 1986, and returned to school to complete my Biology degree. (I was drafted in the 6th round by the Jets in 1980, but had not completed my degree at the time).
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While back in school completing all of my chemistry and physics requirements at Sacramento State University, running my own General Contracting business and working as a live-in counselor at a Crisis Intervention shelter for runaway youths, I had emergency shunt revisions # 4 thru #7 in one 10-month period (1987). During this time, I developed grand mal seizures from the surgeries, including a 55-minute seizure while sitting in my Organic Chemistry class just 2 days after brain surgery # 5. (Surgeries were conducted by Dr. Cully Cobb and his partners Dr. Jones and Dr. French in Sacramento, CA). I finally completed my Biology degree in 1990 at the age of 32 with virtually no short-term memory and have worked as a wildlife biologist for years. In 2003, I started my own Environmental Consulting business, Visger & Associates.
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Recently I was forced to fight the 49′ers Workers Comp carrier, The Travelers – AGAIN! Dr. Christopher Claydon of Grass Valley, CA (my primary care), referred me to Dr. Amen’s clinic for a neurological evaluation on 7/6/09. The Travelers fought me for 3½ months over a $3,700 evaluation. We were finally approved in October (I had also asked that my wife of 14 years and our 10-year old son attend, as I can’t remember what I did this morning, much less what I have been like the last 14 years.) (See EDITOR’S NOTE at the end of this post.)
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Dr. Amen evaluated me in October, and stated he would have me rated at 80% disabled (unfortunately with a wife and 3 children I must support, so I have no time to be disabled.) SPECT scans taken during the evaluation showed many areas of serious scalloping and damage to several lobes of my brain. Dr Amen’s analysis stated I am showing early stages of CTE (I will gladly send you my SPECT scans and evaluation report from The Amen Clinic). These problems are due to multiple damaged areas of my brain. Dr. Amen stated it is a miracle I am even functioning, much less involved in 3 businesses, writing a book and conducting Motivational/Goal setting speeches (I do free talks at schools, businesses, and have spoken to the California Senate 2x this year at Traumatic Brain Injury hearings for the California Brain Injury Association).
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By the grace of God I am still functioning, but find it harder and harder to do so each day. I recently stopped taking the cocktail of drugs I was prescribed for my seizures, memory loss and inability to sleep, and am now only taking Lamictil for my seizures. I also began Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments (HBOT) 5 days/week seven weeks ago and started on megadoses of antioxidants and Omega-3s (by Dr. Barry Sears MedWell Food Products). With my new treatments, I have begun to show great progress.
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I hope you are honest and forthright, unlike your predecessor Dr. NO Casson. His conduct over the years was nothing short of criminal and he should be held liable for the deaths of so many players such as Mike Webster, Andre Waters and others. My brain injuries manifest themselves as anger management issues, poor judgment, loss of direction, inability to manage finances and other fun maladies, which cause incredible stress while trying to run my environmental consulting business and maintain my family relationships. The loss of my relationships with my family is the most heart-wrenching of all.
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I offer my services to you in any way I can, to help other players and their families avoid or cope with what my family has faced the last 28 years. Over the years I have compiled a number of coping mechanisms to deal with my symptoms.
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Several players from the 70’s – 90’s, who have read posts I have written for Dave Pear’s blog, have recently contacted me. They have all been dealing with side effects of head injuries, including seizures and other symptoms I have dealt with for decades. None of the players were even aware they were eligible for Workers Comp, and have been dealing with the added stress of paying for treatment in addition to facing the daunting task of living with brain injuries.
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I have included links to recent stories and special done on me by NPR, CNN, Sacramento News and Review and a link to one of two Senate testimonies I have given at hearings on Traumatic Brain Injuries.
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NPR: A Brain, A Life, Battered by Football Click HERE.
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Sac News and Review Cover story Click HERE.
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Letter to NFL Commissioner Goodell posted on Dave Pears blog Click HERE.
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CNN story 020710 Click HERE.
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George Visger testimony at Senate Hearing on Traumatic Brain Injuries Click HERE.
George Visger 2/2/10 Click HERE.
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Bleacher Report – Head Injury Cover Ups in NFL & My 9 Brain Surgeries 2/10 Click HERE.
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George Visger resume on Mallory Men blog Click HERE.
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I look forward to speaking with you and offer my services in any way I can assist you to help others avoid what I have faced these last 28 years.
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Respectfully,
George Visger
Wildlife Biologist/Motivational Speaker
Visger & Associates
Grass Valley, CA
San Francisco 49′ers
1980 & 1981
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Many readers have written in to let us know that they were completely unaware of going through their state Workers Comp programs to pursue benefits. George’s case went through California since he played for the San Francisco 49′ers.
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Dave Pear
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:44 PM #
Thank you, George, for coming forward and speaking up on head injuries!
The NFL PR Machine had intentionally labeled repeated blows to the head: MILD Traumatic Brain Injuries (MTBI).
However, there is NOTHING mild about a brain injury. ALL brain injuries are serious!
By the way, what has happened to quack NFL DR. “NO” Ira Casson who went down with the ship claiming there is no scientific evidence that repeated blows to the head cause brain injuries and early onset dementia?
What reprehensible thinking!
Remember when Roger Goodell recently thanked Dr. “NO” for all his “good” work?
Goodell wrote that Dr. Ira Casson and Dr. David Viano, who have led the league committee on concussions since 2007, “have graciously offered to resign from those positions and to continue to assist the committee in its important work. We have accepted those resignations and are currently identifying their replacements.”
How reprehensible your thinking is, Roger!
Regards,
Dave & Heidi Pear
Phil DuBois
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:37 AM #
George,
I played with the Washington Redskins in 1979 and 1980 and a couple weeks with the LA Rams in 1981. I just wanted to offer my support to you and all retired players who continue to fight the injustices brought upon us by the NFL. Though I cannot know the feeling of what you struggle through on a daily basis, I do know what it’s like to wake up each morning in a certain degree of pain. I have had 5 back surgeries and 4 shoulder surgeries in the past 17 years.
Phil DuBois
Washington Redskins, LA Rams
1979 – 1981
Randy Cross
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:43 AM #
Thanks, Dave!
Randy Cross
San Francisco 49′ers
1976 – 1988
Spicy-News.com
May 25th, 2010 at 10:00 AM #
House Panel Criticizes New Chairmen of N.F.L. Committee on Concussions…
That characterization by Linda T. Sánchez, Democrat of California, was the most pointed comment toward Dr. Richard Ellenbogen and Dr. Hunt Batjer, the two new N.F.L. committee co-chairmen, whose predecessors resigned last fall amid questions of bias a….
Medcates.com
May 25th, 2010 at 3:00 PM #
House Panel Criticizes New Chairmen of N.F.L. Committee on Concussions…
That characterization by Linda T. Sánchez, Democrat of California, was the most pointed comment toward Dr. Richard Ellenbogen and Dr. Hunt Batjer, the two new N.F.L. committee co-chairmen, whose predecessors resigned last fall amid questions of bias a….