Much has been written about what concussion sufferers endure, how to identify concussions, and how teams and schools should handle concussions as they occur.

But what about the weeks and months after the impact? How do the victims, their parents, and their schools cope with an invisible injury that’s different for every student and that has no end date? This issue was brought to light in a recent article in the Huffington Post written by the parent of a concussion sufferer.

The long, difficult journey a student and those around her continue to walk months after her concussion is chronicled in “4 Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Daughter’s Concussion.” The sad truth is that the persistent headaches, problems with focus, and mental stamina issues impede academic and social lives as well as the athletic careers. And since many teachers, coaches, and school administration don’t adequately understand concussion recovery, frustration and misunderstandings plague the process.

A child recovering from a lingering concussion and that child’s family can never have too much support from those involved in the child’s life. When the recovery process seems impossibly long and when setbacks continue to keep a student from returning to full throttle, a solid support system can make all the difference.

*Scientists have no conclusive evidence as to whether or how the reduction of g-forces during impacts reduces the number or degree of concussions and head injuries. GelDefender products provide supplemental padding as well as cooling and comfort benefits when used with helmets and caps. Participants in activities in which head impacts can occur should always use tested and approved helmets for protection. However, no helmet or supplemental padding can protect the user from all serious head or neck injuries that can result from impacts.