Second Impact Syndrome & Boxing

Female Boxer Suffers A Coma During Fight 

 

When Ishika "Isis" Lay heard that women's boxing would be added to the 2012 Olympics in London, she knew she had to be there. A hard hitting boxer herself, Isis was described by her trainer as "a female Sugar Ray Leonard" and her dedication and boxing record proved it. However, tragedy struck in the second round of an Olympic qualifying bout hosted by the Police Athletic League; a tragedy that would leave her in a coma for weeks.

Isis has a new opponent to fight and that is her own body. Neurologists say she may have suffered from a life-threatening condition known as Second Impact Syndrome where her brain hadn't completely recovered from a prior head injury in the ring. Now, with the Olympics only months away, she has a new training regimen - to regain control of her own body and with the medical costs surpassing $600,000, it's a battle that Isis and her family have to face alone.

The Police Athletic League has taken steps to reduce head injuries by limiting the number of rounds and requiring larger gloves and headgear; however, this is obviously not enough. Simply, asking the fighters if they have a headache after a blow to the head is a serious deficiency.

To find out more about Ishika "Isis" Lay and her tragedy visit: http://goo.gl/ppi1F