25 “I didn’t feel he was fully recovered even eight or nine months after the injury,” Dr. Watanabe says. “I had to have a talk with him and his parents about why I did not think it was a good idea for him to keep playing the sport.” It was a disappointment for the student, who wanted to play Division I basketball. But he “was still able to go to college and get his degree,” Dr. Watanabe says. “It’s nice to know that even if things don’t quite go the way you want them to, there are other ways to move forward and be successful.” Dr. Watanabe says he is doing research on the symptoms of concussions and studying whether certain signs predict a longer recovery. He says preventing concussions is the ultimate goal. “You might say one is too many,” he says. — By Layla Chaaraouri, Maggie Daniels, Zaniyah Jones, Valerie Nogueda, and Kayla Sparks East Norriton Bulldog Bulletin Illustration by Sarah Dewane-Malonoski, East Norriton Bulldog Bulletin Ways to protect your brain from concussion •  Wear a helmet for biking, football, hockey, and lacrosse. •  Learn how to play a sport correctly so you are less likely to get hurt. •  Know the rules of your sport. •  Don’t be reckless while playing. •  Consider avoiding contact sports, such as football, until you are older. Flag football or no-check hockey may be good options when you are younger. •  Don’t head a soccer ball when you are young. •  Tell your coach or parent if you get hit in the head or feel dizzy or confused after getting knocked around. •  If you get a concussion, take time to rest and heal. •  Consider choosing safer activities if you have had one or more concussions. Source: Thomas Watanabe, M.D.