In the annals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery, the journey of former NFL player George Visger stands as a testament to the transformative power of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). George’s compelling testimonial sheds light on the remarkable strides he made in reclaiming his life after facing the harrowing challenges of brain trauma.
George’s narrative unfolds against the backdrop of his tenure as a defensive tackle (DT) for the San Francisco 49ers during the illustrious 1981 Super Bowl season. Amid the euphoria of victory, the shadows of adversity loomed as he grappled with hydrocephalus—a condition marked by a dangerous buildup of fluid inside the skull. Gran mal seizures ensued, leading to a critical emergency brain surgery known as ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting.
The echoes of Super Bowl XVI had barely faded when, four months later, George faced a dire crisis. His shunt failed, catapulting him into the throes of two emergency brain surgeries within a span of 10 hours. Last rites were administered, but George’s resilience prevailed, marking the commencement of a relentless journey toward recovery.
Undeterred by the tribulations, George embarked on a courageous return to academia in 1986, determined to complete his biology degree. However, the path was fraught with further challenges. Over a ten-month period in 1987, he weathered four additional brain surgeries and numerous grand mal seizures while immersed in chemistry and physics courses. The toll on his cognitive functions manifested as severe short-term memory deficits and dyslexia, casting a formidable shadow on his academic pursuits.
The turning point in George’s odyssey arrived three years ago when he was confronted with major short-term memory issues and an early-onset diagnosis of frontal lobe dementia. Faced with the daunting prospect of four dementia medications—Arricept, Namenda, Lexapro, and Resperidol—alongside Lamictil for seizures, George sought refuge in the potential of HBOT and Omega 3 fish oil supplements.
Commencing his journey with hyperbaric oxygen treatments, George’s commitment and resilience bore fruit. Over a year ago, he made the courageous decision to discontinue all dementia medications. The culmination of his determination is marked by the completion of his 206th HBOT treatment, accompanied by a remarkable improvement of 14.7% in micro-cognitive memory test scores.
George Visger’s testimonial transcends the realm of personal triumph; it stands as a beacon of hope for those navigating the intricate terrain of TBI recovery. Dr. Harch’s dedication to advancing HBOT as a transformative therapeutic modality finds its manifestation in George’s resilience—a saga of triumph over adversity and a testament to the unwavering spirit of the human journey.
