Ever since I was just a baby, I’ve been exposed to the thrilling atmosphere of the rink. While watching my brother and my sister, I always had a role model on the ice. Once I was 6, I began playing the game myself.

If someone had told me last year that pursuing a puck carrier in the defensive zone would have given me a concussion, I would have laughed and then continued whatever I was doing.

However, during a game in December when I stopped to gain a better defensive position, my head knocked into another player. I tumbled down, hitting the back of my head on the ice. My vision blurred, and I immediately got a splitting headache.

Returning to the bench, I was faced with a decision: do I speak up and tell my coach about what I knew might be a concussion, or do I continue to play the game? Ultimately, I chose to try and see if I could handle one more shift on the ice, to make sure it wasn’t all in my head.

Once I was on the ice, it became impossible to follow the puck, and playing my position left me confused with my head throbbing.

I knew I couldn’t continue to play the rest of the game in that mental state. I talked to my coach and the trainer who told me I had symptoms of a concussion and would not be able to continue in the game.

After confirming that I was concussed, I was out for 13 days. During this time off, all I wanted to do was get back to my normal habits.

Instead, all I could do was sit in a pitch black room and sleep. Homework was harder and learning new concepts became nearly impossible.

Once I was able to return, I was fearful: what would happen if I got another concussion? Would the next one be the one that ends my hockey career?

I had to stop, I couldn’t think like that, that would only get me down and it ended up scaring me to no end.

These constant questions were not only terrifying but were detrimental to my progress.

All I could do was get out of my own head and step back out onto the ice. Once I was cleared with confidence that if I played my game, the rest would take care of itself.

I could not live in fear of sustaining another injury or let the risk of injury hold me back.

Concussions are a serious injury and should not be taken lightly. Playing any sport is not worth severe brain damage.

However, psyching yourself out is also something to avoid. You cannot let fear dictate your life.

At some point you have to face your fears head on and realize that you are stronger than whatever is holding you back, or else risk never doing what you enjoy.