An Undiagnosed Concussion Becomes a Personal Mission to Raise Awareness

AdventHealth occupational therapist Lisa Hackett shares about resources available.

October 27, 2025 | AdventHealth News

Lisa Hackett, AdventHealth Littleton occupational therapist, knows firsthand the life-changing impact of concussions. Decades ago, in a car accident, she suffered a concussion that went undiagnosed for more than a year.

At the time, she was balancing the demands of a new job and caring for her infant daughter. What she first assumed was sleep deprivation and the stress of early motherhood turned out to be something far more serious.

“It wasn’t until about a year later that I realized something wasn’t right,” Lisa recalled. “I finally went to see a neurologist, and after some tests, I knew this was real. I was finally able to get the help I needed.”

Hackett’s personal journey has fueled her mission: to make sure no one else goes through the confusion, stigma, and missed diagnosis that she experienced. That’s why last month she created an education booth at AdventHealth Littleton for National Concussion Awareness Day.

On September 19 Hackett spent the day telling team members and visitors all about the signs and symptoms, and how to get help and treatment. She credits such tools as the REAP (Remove/Reduce, Educate, Adjust/Accommodate, Pace) Manual for helping medical professionals, families, and even schools coordinate care. She said many of the people who came by her booth hadn’t realized the extent of available resources nearby.

“Education is huge. Knowledge is power,” she said. “Both of my daughters have also faced their own head injuries. With my second daughter, we recognized it right away and got her the support she needed. The difference was night and day compared to what my first daughter went through.”

As an occupational therapist at AdventHealth Littleton in Littleton, Colorado, United States, Hackett integrates her personal and professional knowledge daily. She works with patients whose concussions may be overlooked amid other medical issues. “People come in with a fall or a broken bone, and the focus is on that injury, so concussions can get missed,” she explained. “That’s where I can step in and make sure the patient gets screened for a traumatic brain injury.”

Her goal is to help patients regain their independence and daily function while making sure they are connected with the right specialists: whether that’s speech therapy, physical therapy, or a dedicated concussion clinic.

“It’s powerful hearing people’s stories,” Hackett said. “So many just try to push through it, but when you don’t give yourself time to heal, you can do more damage. Concussions are brain injuries and need to be taken seriously. Just because you can’t see a brain injury doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

The original version of this story was posted on the AdventHealth news site.