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This discussion centers on William Person's experiences as a former Team USA bobsledder and the significant impact of brain injuries, particularly chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), on athletes. William shares his personal journey, including his transition from sprinting to bobsledding and the physical and mental challenges he faced in the sport. He highlighted the prevalence of micro concussions and the cumulative damage they can cause, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and communication about these risks among athletes.

William recounts the emotional toll of losing a teammate to suicide linked to CTE, which prompted him to advocate for better mental health support within the athletic community. He expressed frustration over the silence surrounding mental health issues and the lack of proactive measures to address them. The conversation also touched on the alarming connection between untreated CTE symptoms and incidents of violence, including mass shootings, underscoring the urgency of raising awareness and implementing preventive strategies.

In addition to discussing his advocacy efforts, William details his ongoing class action lawsuit against U.S.A Bobsled aimed at ensuring athletes are informed about the risks associated with bobsledding. He clarified that the lawsuit is not about personal financial gain but rather about protecting athletes and promoting transparency regarding potential dangers. 

William also shares his struggles with accessing effective treatment for CTE. He emphasizs the importance of providing affordable treatment options for those affected by CTE and the need for continued advocacy and support for athletes and veterans. 

Links:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/29/sports/bobsled-brain-injuries-lawsuit.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/sports/olympics/olympics-bobsled-suicide-brain-injuries.html

https://gofund.me/e68951d2

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/us/navy-pilot-brain-injury-topgun.html


https://youtu.be/JKY2vpJYcug?feature=shared

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMPnEyRF/

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