NEWTOWN & Chilwell key forward Jay Bett remains off work with his footy return unclear after a serious concussion in a practice match almost six weeks ago.
Bett, who is among the GFL’s best forwards, is seeing a neurological physiotherapist in Melbourne and admits he has many boxes to tick in the coming weeks before trying to play again.
The extent of Bett’s problems were revealed yesterday when he spoke of the daily hurdles he continues to face with his prolonged concussion.
The veteran forward remains sensitive to light and sound, meaning simple activities like watching sport on the TV or using his mobile phone can stir up symptoms.
“Socially, too, I get stirred by being in the company of too many people sometimes,” Bett said yesterday.
“I mean, I’ll sit at home all day and I’m fine and then as soon as someone comes over, it stirs me up a bit.”
Bett tried to return to work in the days after the incident but couldn’t look at a computer screen for more than 10 minutes before migraine symptoms set in.
He was on the sidelines to watch both of Newtown’s opening matches of the season but had to leave during the Leopold match because he was overstimulated by the environment.
Issues with focusing and concentration are some of the effects he is dealing with.
Bett has been told 10 to 20 per cent of people who suffer concussion experience prolonged symptoms like his.
“I’m just trying to knock it on its head and get rid of it,” he said.
Scans cleared him of permanent damage, leaving him to ride out the storm in the meantime.
He is expected to make a full recovery and has been given a set of recovery exercises to complete every morning.
But while he hopes to return to work in a part-time basis next week, his footy future remains up in the air.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure when I’ll be available,” he said.
“I’m guess when I’m right to go back to work and my neuro gives me the all clear to go back to work, I’ll go to the sports doctor in Geelong and see.
“I haven’t really thought too much about going back to play footy. I definitely would like to, but I’d rather not think about it.
“I did a full pre-season and I’ve lost all of that, so whenever I start again I’m going to need to start from scratch again anyway.
“I’m hopeful. Maybe after the interleague bye, but I’ll be lucky to be at full-time work in the next week or two, so I really don’t know.
“When I first saw the neuro four weeks ago, she said I’d be six weeks away from playing footy, but I’ve definitely gone slower than what we thought.”
Bett’s long-term and short-term memory is fine and he has been encouraged to go for walks and have lunch out with friends to help his recovery process.
“I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I’m just getting there very slowly and not rushing it,” he said.
Last Modified on 01/05/2015 16:51
