Learning Patience with Concussion Recovery

Recovering from Two Concussions in One Year Teaches Teen Patience and Resilience

When Kyle and Kristin Gurley relocated from Sunnyvale during the pandemic, they wanted a more laid-back lifestyle and a community with the highest standards of medical care. Their decision to choose Monterey was based, in part, on the care that Stanford Medicine Children’s Health could provide to their daughter, Mia, especially at its local pediatric clinic.

Turns out, they say, their decision was wise. “Kids will be kids; things happen,” explains Kristin—especially, it seems, to her athletic daughter, who plays volleyball, basketball, and flag football and runs track.

In the past year, concussions have sent the 14-year-old eighth grader to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Pediatrics – Monterey twice. Both freak accidents happened at school. The first was last March when Mia was hit on the head with a tennis racket while horsing around with a friend. In March 2025, she was struck by an errant basketball while studying on the gym sidelines.

“She’s accident prone,” says Kristin, a health care senior program manager. “My friends joke that we need helmets and bubble wrap, but we live our life to the fullest. I’m grateful that we have Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Pediatrics – Monterey to care for her.”

Mom, who has had several concussions herself, understood the urgency and called her husband, a professor turned patent agent, immediately following notification from Mia’s school. The couple contacted the pediatric clinic and got an appointment that day. Ironically, Mia had had her annual physical that morning with her pediatrician, Sara Liu, MD.

A sports medicine doctor on staff

“When I called the clinic, the receptionist and nurse fit us in to be seen immediately without hesitation,” Kristin explains. Just like her visit to the clinic for last year’s concussion, Mia would have a team of pediatricians and a head trauma expert providing her care.

She was seen by Cynthia Lee, MD, a pediatrician at the clinic who was available when the family arrived. After Mia went through Stanford’s concussion protocol, her diagnosis was confirmed. Because this was her second concussion in a year, she was also seen by Kirk Mulgrew, MD, who has board certifications in both pediatrics and sports medicine and was a team doctor for the Washington Huskies football team. He was familiar with Mia’s concussion history, having examined her last year.

“What I usually do if we suspect a concussion is the standard concussion evaluation using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, which includes a history and a questionnaire,” notes Dr. Mulgrew. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health has an extensive Concussion Program, and the evaluation includes questions on orientation, concentration, and balance, as well as a neurological exam. Symptoms are rated on a scale.

Dr. Mulgrew explained to the family that a concussion is a jolt or twist to the head that irritates the brain and can cause microscopic metabolic and blood-flow changes. He described a treatment plan, which includes rest, adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and a return to school half-days. Mia was already familiar with this, after recovering from last year’s tennis racket accident.

“Mia is doing well in the recovery process. She’s on Phase 2 of recovery, which includes light aerobic exercise and walking at a brisk pace. She can be present at the track with friends but not participate,” says Dr. Mulgrew. Recovery, he added, starts with Phase 1, the resting step. Phase 6, the final step, is a return to full contact sports.

“That’s the beauty of having doctors like that here,” says Kristin. “It was seamless and not a lot of waiting. It’s amazing to have that kind of care.”

Helping teen through sickness and health

Mia, a thoughtful and poised young teen, has been learning the art of patience and acceptance, as she heals sitting on the sidelines once again, according to her mom. Mia is also grateful for her care and is learning to plant succulents in the yard as she awaits clearance to play sports.

“Dr. Liu helps me through things in sickness and in health,” says Mia. “I’m able to confide in her about what’s going on in my life and can work things out. I have so much—thanks to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health for the exceptional care and their ability to make me feel comfortable and at home.”

Mia’s biggest concern, her mom explains, is fear that she won’t keep up academically. But everything is going well, and she’s getting stronger and better every day. “She’s learning a lesson in giving herself grace and self-acceptance. It’s hard, and she’s frustrated that she can’t run and play. But it’s a growth experience that’s teaching her to find joy in being able to take a break,” says Kristin.

“What is most difficult on Mia is the inability to focus or think deeply for long periods of time,” says her father. “Cognitive tasks in school are more difficult with a concussion, especially math or foreign language, so just being in class is a struggle. This has improved but is really hard for a kid who has great grades and is used to being engaged and participating all day long.”

Dr. Liu adds that hardships like these build emotional strength and resilience. “Patients learn a lot from these experiences. They see how they can thrive despite setbacks, which are all part of life. Recovery gives them confidence by working through hard medical experiences. Resilience is such a super-important lesson.”

A mom of three girls, Dr. Liu especially enjoys taking care of teens and getting to know the ups and downs of their lives, she says. “Our philosophy of care here is getting to know the full and holistic picture of the child and their life at home and school.”

Imparting skills for resilience, confidence

“Teens have beautiful messy lives and deal with so much today. I hope I am helping them thrive through the teen years,” Dr. Liu adds. “One of my goals is to help impart resilience, strength, confidence, and grit that they’ll need in life. I’m lucky to be a part of that.”

The pediatrics team at the Monterey location shares this goal, Drs. Liu and Mulgrew explain. All eight providers are committed to delivering good patient experiences and enjoy collaborating on cases like Mia’s.

“We all work well together,” says Dr. Mulgrew. “I’ve worked in other practices where we didn’t have the same cohesion. We all love each other; we’re like family. The team feels comfortable collaborating.

“Anytime we have a question or need, a second set of eyes on a patient, any of us are available. We’re all learning from each other, sharing our knowledge, and working to provide the best patient experience.”

Learn more about the Monterey location, and Stanford’s Concussion Program.