10 years on: The tragedy behind Ontario’s Rowan’s Law Day
This article is written by Progressive Rugby
It’s 10 years since Canadian teenager Rowan Stringer led her rugby team onto the pitch for the final time.
Marking the anniversary of her death on social media, her father Gordon posted ‘10 years ago the pain of loss began, contrary to some assertions it has not waned. Resilience is the key to taking on each day. I miss you little Row.’
This is the tragic tale of a 17-year-old who lost her life through a lack of education around brain injury and, as a result, a misplaced bravado that saw her hide her symptoms and play despite suffering a concussion four days earlier.
The inquest into her death heard from friend Michelle Herbert that Rowan, despite suffering headaches and fatigue, texted her that she was going to play because "nothing would stop me unless I'm dead."
Michelle says she and Rowan even searched concussions on the internet but believed her friend kept all symptoms from her parents and coaches, and said she declined seeing a doctor because "what's some brain damage gonna hurt?"
Judy Larabie, a teammate and friend, added that Rowan referred to her injuries as ‘warrior wounds’ and wore them with pride.
On that fateful day in Ottawa on 12th May, 2013 it was Judy who passed the ball to Rowan before seeing her friend briefly sit up from a resulting tackle and then falling backwards unconscious.
At hospital medics were unable to successfully relieve the pressure in her head and her family made the heart-breaking decision to discontinue life support.
Five years after her death, in 2018, a much-needed silver lining appeared in the form of Rowan’s Law Day which honour’s her memory and raises awareness about concussion safety on the last Wednesday of every September.
Approved by the Ontario Government it includes concussion safety legislation established mandatory requirements for removal-from sport and return to sport protocols if an athlete is suspected of having sustained a concussion.
And set up a concussion code of conduct to set out rules of behaviour to minimise concussions while playing sports.
It is hopefully of some comfort to her family and friends that Rowan’s Law Day may save lives.
‘This is the tragic tale of a 17-year-old who lost her life through a lack of education around brain injury and, as a result, a misplaced bravado that saw her hide her symptoms and play despite suffering a concussion four days earlier.’