The importance of helmets.

[mod mom]

We took the kids after dinner for ice cream Saturday evening. My husband and I walked the dogs and my children took scooters. My daughter lagged way behind finishing her ice cream so on the return trip, she walked w me and Joe took her scooter. For a brief period he hopped on the scooter and hit an unlevel segment on a neighborhood sidewalk, was thrown off the scooter and hit his head on the sidewalk.
He is in intensive care w a brain bleed and spinal cord swelling. He is scheduled for surgery Monday morning to relieve the pressure in his cervical spine. He has movement in his legs but very limited motion in his arms and the Neurosurgeon hopes that relieving the pressure will help him eventually return to 100%.

I am bringing this aspect to your attention for 2 reasons: (1) as a reminder how dangerous the unlevel sidewalks can be and (2) as a reminder on the importance of wearing helmets (He was not as he was not planning on scootering) not only when biking but also scootering (I see many kids not wearing them and don't want them to befall a similar injury.)

Thankfully we have good insurance and he has an understanding boss. Please send us good vibes.

[Sabriel]

1. I'm so sorry!

It sounds promising, though. Thinking of you and your family.

[babylonsister]

2. Oh no! You've got good vibes from me, mod mom.

And hugs for your whole family. :hug::hug::hug::hug:

Please keep us posted. :hug:

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

3. Vibes sent!

I have an old plastic/styrofoam bike helmet with a lovely, craquelure-esque spider-web crack just over the left temple, where the helmet hit the curb instead of my noggin. I keep it like a trophy. A hard lesson is a lesson learned.

Best wishes for Joe!

[SeattleGirl]

4. Oh my! Good vibes for Joe, and for all of you, mod mom!

:grouphug:

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. My very best wishes, and I hope your post helps someone else

avoid such a terrible situation.

Hugs to you and your family.

[Obamanaut]

6. I gave Miz O's helmet to the motorcycle safety course supervisor

at Moody AFB, GA. She lost control riding a motor scooter at less than 25 mph. Neurosurgeon told me in ICU that without the helmet she would not even have made it to the ER. Brain bleeds, coma, etc. Helmets can be your friends.

In this case when I say I know what you are going through, I have a really good idea. Here's good, positive thoughts for recovery. Hugs to all of you.

[Hangingon]

7. Sorry to hear of his injury. Hope all turns out well.

[Odin2005]

8. Oh God, I hope he fully recovers! That could have been a lot worse!!!

:hug:

[sandnsea]

9. What a horrible ordeal

I am so sorry for all of you and will send you one of sam sarrha's bubbles of light for comfort.

If it helps at all, I was flat walking down the street last year, canvassing, tripped on a paving bump in the road and fell like a silent screen sideshow, and came inches from the curb. At a certain age, you just can't catch your balance from those falls like you could when you were a kid. That's one of those middle age inconveniences they never tell you about.

:hug:

[leftyclimber]

10. All the best to Joe, you, and your family.

Life lessons should not have to come this hard.

Keep us updated.

:hug:

[thecrow]

11. They can do amazing things nowadays

Hopefully his injuries can be reversed.
I'm wishing you the best and am glad for your understanding boss and good insurance.
I hope all goes well in surgery.

Kids shateboard without helmets every day on our street, racing and flipping the boards wuth their feet and I am terrified that one of them will fall.
I occaisionally ask them... where's your helmet?
They have no idea. At that age, they think they are immortal. Sigh

Me.. I fell at a party yesterday and I was so glad I had driven to the party in flops and brought my ankle strap heels to put on later. I still had the flops on. If it was the heels, I probably would be in the hospital with a broken ankle today.

[malaise]

12. How horrible

I'm sending you some good vibes. :grouphug:

[Coyote_Bandit]

13. .

:hug:

Good vibes coming your way.

[lostnfound]

14. Thanks for the reminder.

I never let my boy ride a bike without one, but I admit I'm not as diligent about the scooter.

PS Hope your husband recovers fully and quickly. I'm sure he will.

[hedgehog]

15. I said a prayer fror all of you. I wish I could help!

[barbtries]

16. omigawd i'm so sorry to hear this

you have my best good vibes

[grace0418]

17. Oh my goodness. I hope he recovers quickly! Healing vibes your way.

And bless you for using this time to call attention to a very important message. :hug:

[pepperbear]

18. here's hopes for a speedy recovery. n/t

[Octafish]

19. Please know your family is in our prayers, mod mom.

You and yours are more than virtual friends -- you are real-life family.

My kids wear helmets when on bikes and scooters. Thanks to you sharing, I am buying one for me.

We will keep you and yours in our thoughts and prayers. May God speed your husband's recovery.

[Berry Cool]

20. I'm very sorry and I will hope for all the best for him.

You probably won't ever persuade the hardline libertarians that it's not their skull to crack open and they'll crack it open if they damn well want to as their fair tradeoff for the "freedom" of not wearing a helmet, but maybe you'll persuade someone else.

I wear a helmet when I bike.

[Occam Bandage]

21. My God. I hope the surgery goes well. Best of luck to you and him. nt

[renate]

22. good vibes--you've got 'em!

I'm so glad his prognosis is so good! Be sure to keep us updated, when you have a chance.

You might find the sentiments in this very interesting article familiar: http://happydays.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/reprieve/

How sweet of you to think about warning us, when you have so much else on your mind.

:hug: to you and Joe.

[JerseygirlCT]

23. Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry!

And that's very scary, indeed.

All best wishes. I do hope the surgery does the trick.

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. Sending healing thoughts

:hug: