Suzanne Barba, the Athletic Trainer Who Saved My Life
What if someone flipped a coin and said "heads" you die, "tails" you live? On October 5, 2007 doctors basically told me that when they gave me a 50% chance to survive through the night after I collapsed with a severe brain injury under the Friday night lights, in what turned out to be my very last football game.
Suzanne Barba, “Miss Barba” to all the students, is West Morris Central’s Athletic Trainer of thirty-two years. Suzanne saved my life in that high school football game on when I suffered from second impact syndrome. I do not remember very much from this night, but it is a night that undoubtedly changed my life forever.
Suzanne with Detroit Lions Fullback, Michael Burton.
In this episode Suzanne fills in the missing pieces to the story I almost didn't survive to tell. In addition, we also discuss some of the other injuries she has seen in her career and talk about characteristics that lead to the ultimate comebacks after injuries.
I am kicking off the Heads 'N Tales Podcast with my own story of perseverance in hopes that it will inspire others to share their own tales and guide those who trying to write their own comeback story. You can be given a 50% chance to survive through the night, and be told that you cant play the sport that you loved as much as your best friend ever again, but you're the only one who can control how you react.
No one likes pity parties, so get after it and take action!
I hope you enjoy the first episode. Please comment with what you liked an did not like. If you have a story you would like to share on the podcast, please email me at kevin@headsntales.org .
- Kevin Saum
