Getting the Message Out

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Mission: 

Ray's  mission is to tell his story of the mistakes he made by not addressing a  concussion properly and the consequences he has suffered as a result of  his decision.  If a concussion is treated properly, athletes will not  have to endure the life altering ramifications that Ray faces today.   Athletes need to be honest about the symptoms that they are experiencing  with their coaching staff and trainers.  Hiding these symptoms and  playing through them is where athletes can find themselves in life  altering situations.  Ray hopes, through his speaking engagements, that  athletes will understand the importance of addressing a concussion  correctly and promptly.  He encourages athletes to be honest regarding  their symptoms and advocates following program and doctor protocol.
 

Ray was a well behaved student until his junior year of high school.  He  suffered a concussion, ignoring the symptoms and unfortunately received  another concussion one week later.  The second concussion came before  the initial symptoms have subsided.  That's when his world changed and  he began failing his school courses.  He started sleeping excessively,  was unable to concentrate, saw changes in his demeanor and felt like he  was in a fog.  Through his story, he emphasizes how important it would  have been to have addressed the first concussion properly.  If he had  done this, he would not have to suffer with his complications today.   Ray's complications are completely avoidable and education is the key.   When athletes see it his struggles first hand, it resonates.  He wants  athletes to reach their full potential while also enjoying a good  quality of life after sports.  
 

Speaking Engagements: 

Speeches last between 25 and 45 minutes depending on the audience. Optional question and answer sessions can follow upon request.  Ray is on no time restrictions.  He will stay until the last voice is heard 

• Talks are free of charge;  There are no  travel restrictions/limitations
• Talks  are open to any audience and are tailored to fit the age level of the  audience.  Ray is available to speak to any age group, including but not  limited to 
  • School Assemblies
  • Team and Sport Specific Assemblies
  • Parent/Student Athlete Meetings
  • Sports Clubs and Recreational Teams
  • Youth Sport Teams
• There is no clinical/medical advice.  Medical questions will be referred to the school/organization doctors or nurses
• Ray does not sell or endorse any products
• Topics included in speaking engagements  
  • Concussion and Second Impact type injuries
  • Why athletes hide their symptoms
  • Challenging concussions
  • The adrenaline factor
  • Peer pressure
  • Honesty about head injuries and notifying someone immediately
  • Importance of following school policy and concussion protocols
  • Importance of being symptom free before returning to sport activities
  • The baseline test
  • Being a good role model
  • First hand experience to support his cause
  • Short term and long term effects of neglecting or not taking a head injury seriously
  • Life altering consequences and disorders that one may have to live with as a result of challenging a concussion
  • Ray tells "his" story and uses his first hand experiences to convey his message

 Keynote Speaker

2024: The Cutting Room, NYC Fundraiser BIANYS

2023:  University of New England

2023:  Columbia University, NYC

2022:  Kim Justice; In a Flash National Radio

2022:  Columbia University Synapse Conference; New York City

2019: 3rd Robert C Cantu Concussion Conference; Emerson Hospital, Lowell, Mass

2019: Cleveland Clinic; Cleveland, Ohio

2018:  Romulus Central School, Romulus, NY

2018:  Lincoln Academy, New Castle, Maine

2018:  Brain Injury Association of New York State, st. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, NY

2018:  Waterloo Central School, Waterloo, NY

2017: Wentworth Douglass Hospital, Dover, NH; Concussion Symposium
2017: Maine Sports Medicine Concussion Symposium, University of Southern Maine, Portland
2016: Brain Injury Association of Vermont

2016: Brain Injury Association of Maine

2016: The Second Impact/The Craftsman Inn Conference Center, Syracuse, NY; Concussion in Kids: Return to Sports and School
2015: University of New England, Biddeford, Maine
2015: Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire 32nd Annual Brain Injury Conference
2015: Washington State Traumatic Brain Injury Conference
2014: 32nd Annual Brain Injury Association of NYS (BIANYS) Convention;  Albany, New York
2014: SUNNY Cortland Sports Medicine Symposium
2013: The Second Impact/Belhurst Castle; Educational Seminar on Concussions

2012: Ithaca College/University of Rochester
 

Guest Speaker: 

2023: Ted Baker WGVA 1240AM

2019: Brain Injury Association of New York, Saratoga Springs, NY

2019:  Williamsville North Coaches and Administrators, Buffalo, NY

2019:  Williamsville South Coaches and Administrators, Buffalo, NY

2019:  Williamsville East Coaches and Administrators, Buffalo, NY

2018: South Seneca Central School, Ovid, NY
2017: Maryland Association of Osteopathic Physicians Annual Meeting
2017: NYS Certified Football Officials Association
2017: Mohawk Valley Chapter of NYS Certified Football Officials Association
2015: Camp Good Days and Special Times,
2015: Cayuga Center, Auburn, NY
2015: Happiness House, Canandaigua, New York
2014: Webster Willink Middle School First Lego League Robotics Technical Titans, Webster, NY
2014: Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, New York
2014: Belvedere Treatment Center, Syracuse, New York
2014: Finger Lakes Health Association, DeMay Living Center, Newark, New York
2014: Rochester Regional Health, DeMay Living Center, Newark, New York
2014: Camp Winadu, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 

2013: Happiness House, Canandaigua, New York
2013: 31st Annual Brain Injury Association of NYS (BIANYS) Convention;  Albany, New York
2013: New York State Athletic Trainers' Association (NYSATA) Convention; Jamestown, New York
2012: Hickock Center for Brain Injury;  Rochester, New York
2012: Al Siegel Center, Rochester, New York
2012: Happiness House, Canandaigua, New York
 

Camp/Clinic Featured Speaker: 

2018:  Youth Football Camp, Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA

2015 NFL High School Player Development Camp: Mansfield University, Pennsylvania

2014 NFL High School Player Development Camp; Nottingham High School; Syracuse, New York:
Participating High School Teams:  Beaver River, Central Tech  (ICT), Chittenango, Hannibal, Jordan-Elbridge, Moravia,  Nottingham, Thousand Islands, Verone
 

2014 NFL High School Player Development Camp; Mansfield University, Pennsylvania:
Participating High School Teams:  Corning East, Corning West,  Cowanesque Valley, Hancock, Harpursville, Horseheads, Line Mountain,  Notre Dame, Oswego, Pittston, South Williamsport, Southern Tioga, Tioga,  Towanda, Wellsboro
 

2013 NFL High School Player Development Camp;  Elmira Notre Dame High School;  Elmira, New York
Participating High School Teams:  Corning East, Corning West, Elmira  Free Academy, Elmira Notre Dame, Johnson City, Horseheads, Maine  Endwell, Newfield, Southside, Thomas A Edison, Waverly
 

2013 North Rockland Football Camp;  North Rockland High School;  North Rockland, New York
Participating High School Teams:  Clarkstown North, Middletown, North Rockland, Spring Valley, Suffern, Tappan Zee
 

2012, 2013 & 2014 NFL High School Player Development Camp;  Lyons High School;  Lyons, New York
Participating High School Teams:   Aquinas Institute, Clyde-Savannah, DeSales, Dundee, Fairport, Geneva,  Lyons, Marcus Whitman, Midlakes, Mynderse Academy, Newark, Oswego, Pal  Myra-Macedon, Penn Yan Academy, Port Byron, Red Jacket, South Seneca,  Trumansburg, Union Springs, Waterloo
 

2012, 2013 & 2014 NFL High School Player Development Camp;  Wayne High School;  Ontario, New York
Participating High School Teams:  Brighton, East High, Greece Arcadia, Greece Olympia, Midlakes, Penfield, Wayne
 

2012 Tony Collins Foundation Football and Cheerleading Camp;  Penn Yan Academy
 

Finger Lakes Youth Football and Cheerleading League:
Bloomfield Steelers, Clyde-Savannah Eagles, Dundee Jr Scots, Gananda  Panthers, Geneva Panthers, Honeoye Falls Lima Cougars, Jordan-Elbridge  Eagles, Jr Lyons Lyons, Marcus Whitman Wildcats, Midlakes Jr Eagles,  Newark Jr Reds, Pal-Mac Raiders, Penn Yan Mustangs, Red Jacket Indians,  Seneca Falls Blue Devils, East Rochester Bombers, Waterloo Indians,  Wayne Eagles
 

New York Collegiate Baseball League:
Adirondack Trailblazers, Alfred Thunder, Geneva Red Wings, Geneva  Twins, Hornell Dodgers, Olean Oilers, Oneonta Outlaws, Niagara Power,  Sherrill Silversmiths, Syracuse Jr Chiefs, Syracuse Salt Cats, Utics  Brewers, Webster Yankees, Wellsville Nitros