Mark Bickley and the Alarming Experience of His Son's Concussion

Mark Bickley's Shocking Experience with His Son's Concussion

AFL legend Mark Bickley and his wife Tory have bravely shared the traumatic events surrounding their 12-year-old son, Xavier, who faced a near coma after a severe concussion from a bike accident. Mark described receiving a frantic call from Xavier, who was disoriented and required urgent help.

The Distressing Reality of Head Trauma

Xavier's journey included multiple distressing days in the hospital and a long recovery. Mark noted, “At one stage, there was talk that he may have had to be put in an induced coma.” This experience has profoundly shifted their perspective.

Educating Others on Concussion Symptoms

• Parents are urged to recognize the subtle signs of concussion that can often be overlooked.
• Among the symptoms to watch for are sensitivity to light, confusion, mood changes, and sleep difficulties.

Mark's reflection on his own experiences with concussions in football reveals a critical lesson: he underestimated how serious his son's injury could be. As he put it, “Maybe I was being a little bit laconic about how serious it was.”

Support for Young Athletes

As Xavier has returned to playing football, physiotherapist Georgina Leov advocates for balancing safety with mental and physical health benefits. She emphasizes, “The important message is if it does happen, seek medical help.”