Did you know that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been diagnosed in a clown repeatedly shot out of a cannon?
Though CTE is more widely known as a disease that can affect contact sport athletes who experience repeated hits to the head, this unique CTE case was published In 1996. Williams and Tannenberg described evidence of the disease in the brain of a 33-year-old former circus clown. He was achondroplastic dwarf with a history of alcohol abuse. The performer experienced repeated brain trauma for years as he was repeatedly shot out of a circus cannon and through his participation in “dwarf-throwing” events (yes, it is as bad as it sounds).
The issue of repeated brain injuries in stunt performers was brought to light again in a recent article out of British Columbia. In a survey by the Union of British Columbia Performers, 44% of respondents reported suffering one or more concussions in their career, with 14% suffering 3 or more concussions. On top of these injuries, routine falls with controlled landings, as are often performed repeatedly in rehearsals and filming, can cause similar forces on their brain to those experienced by American football players.
Yet, most performers, like athletes, don’t report their injuries. Understandably, many are concerned that they will lose their job if they are unable to perform their stunts due to a concussion. The cumulative effect of these repeated hits and mismanagement of concussions can lead to long-term consequences for stunt performers.
Ultimately, your brain can’t tell the difference between a collision in football, heading a soccer ball, your head hitting the pavement with a helmet on, or the landing after being shot out of a cannon. It just knows it is being jostled, stretched, and traumatized as it’s thrown around within the skull. Your brain doesn’t know what hits it.