Orillia native receives medical treatment in Georgia

ORILLIA-

Andrew Parks had started to believe he wasnt going to get better.

After months of literally sitting alone in the dark, the 21-year-old Orillia native, who suffered a serious blow to the head during a hockey game in September 2012, was questioning if it was how he was going to be living the rest of his life.

You dont think its ever going to be any different, Parks said, a huge smile on his face as he shared the story of his recovery.

After six long months and little to no improvement in his condition, Parks was admitted to the Carrick Brain Center in Marietta, Ga. the same one where NHL superstar Sidney Crosby received treatment in 2011 to which he credits a large portion, if not all, of his recovery.

Its like I never had a concussion, said Parks, who has moved to New York state, where hes playing hockey for Brockport University this fall.

Parks, a forward with the Trenton Golden Hawks Junior 'A' hockey team, was hit from behind and driven head first into the boards last year during an early regular-season game against the Kingston Voyageurs.

Other than the fact his neck was sore, he didnt notice anything out of the ordinary at the time and continued to play after the hit.

But during the next nights game against the Aurora Tigers, another player bumped into him.

I just fell to my knees, Parks said. Everything was spinning.

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Orillia native receives medical treatment in Georgia