Neurologist Shares Insight On Traumatic Brain Injuries In Wake Of Elijah Gorham’s Death

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The aesculapian examiner revealed the origin of decease for the beloved precocious schoolhouse shot player, Elijah Gorham.

In an email to WJZ connected Tuesday, the bureau revealed that the 17-year-old’s origin of decease was cardiac arrest, multi-system organ failure, accidental trauma, and a traumatic encephalon injury.

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“These cases are precise unfortunate and they punctual america of the severity of this injury,” said Dr. Kevin Crutchfield, a neurologist who helped to constitute Maryland’s concussion protocol laws.

Dr. Crutchfield does not cognize the specifics of Gorham’s lawsuit but described what happens successful the assemblage erstwhile an jock gets a traumatic encephalon injury.

“If the assemblage stops suddenly, the encephalon tin inactive displacement astir wrong the skull and bang up against the wrong of the skull. And it’s the transportation of that unit into the insubstantial of the encephalon that has vigor that leads to chemic changes and that is simply a traumatic encephalon injury. It tin either origin bruising, bleeding,” said Dr. Crutchfield.

Dr. Crutchfield said traumatic encephalon injuries (TBI) are much terrible than concussions. He describes concussions arsenic a self-resolving process, whereas TBI improves, but does not afloat resolve.

Gorham was a elder astatine Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School. He was injured during a crippled backmost successful September and died a fewer weeks later.

In a connection to WJZ, Baltimore City Schools said:

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During interscholastic shot games, specified arsenic this one, City Schools arranges for a medic to beryllium connected the scene. The medic administered attraction portion waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Additionally, each coaches are trained successful pupil attraction and wounded prevention. The medic ensures that the territory Athletic Department receives accusation regarding immoderate wounded that requires aesculapian attention.

Gorham’s mother, Shantres Shaw told WJZ the squad was similar family.

“It was a brotherhood to him, helium loved his squad members his coaches, his household and helium was conscionable amazing,” said Shaw.

Even astatine a teenager, Elijah’s affirmative interaction was unmistakable. His manager called him a soundless leader.

“Just a fantastic young antheral truthful caring truthful giving truthful genuine, can’t accidental capable affirmative things astir him,” sid Patrick Nixon, caput shot manager and diversion manager astatine Mervo.

Coach Nixon said determination volition beryllium a vigil connected the shot tract Thursday astatine 7 p.m. successful Elijah’s honor.

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A GoFundMe has been organized to found a assistance successful Gorham’s memory. To donate oregon larn more, click here.

Ava-joye Burnett