On Monday, April 8, there was an unfortunate accident during our ride that resulted in the injury of one of our regular riders. I am sharing the story with all of you because I want everyone to always feel informed and thereby able to make the best decision possible.
My sister and my husband, both had bike accidents, sans cars, one wearing a helmet, one not. Story short: following a bike accident around the lakes here in BR, my sister clipped another rider and went down and now has permanent brain damage and is disabled, in a nursing home with private caregivers for most of her waking hours, confined to a wheelchair, with speech aphasia limiting her ability communicate. She has advanced degrees in English but is no longer able to read. My husband, on the other hand was thrown over his handlebars but has fully recovered from a broken pelvis and has a destroyed helmet to show for his accident, but an intact brain. I apologize if this offends anyone, but it is the absolute truth. Regarding the argument (which is often cited) that riders wearing helmets feel free to engage in riskier behavior, ask yourself if simply strapping on a helmet would make you feel like doing something reckless. No? I didn't think so.
Feel free to send the link below on to whoever you think may find it helpful - it's also got good information regarding other bike safety rules and advice on choosing a helmet. Remember, in making the choice to forego wearing a helmet, you are not making a choice for yourself only. Your spouse, children, and other loved ones will bear the burden of your care, should you suffer a brain injury: https://youandmeodyssey.com/2021/01/05/an-avoidable-tragedy/
One more comment, if I haven't worn out my welcome with a group I don't yet know. There is a quote in this article about the lady who had the accident, "It could be weeks before she is fully recovered. She has sensitivity to light, gets tired very easily, and has intermittent feelings of nausea. To be blunt, it’s not fun. Thankfully, she did not sustain any additional injuries. " Realistically, it could be months, years, or maybe never before she fully recovers from these difficulties. People who suffer TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) often have symptoms that last quite a long time. Since my sister's accident, I've done a lot of reading and am on a Facebook page, Traumatic Brain Injury Healing & Recovery Support Group. A common refrain among people suffering these injuries is that, to others, they appear to have recovered, and yet, they don't feel the same, think the same, process information in the same way, etc. They often suffer depression, headaches, and experience a multitude of difficulties they did not experience prior to the injury. If anyone reading this is friends with the lady who had this accident, bear this in mind. The brain is complex and does not heal easily.
You're 100% correct. In fact, I have a family member who suffered a traumatic brain injury. She sustained it after falling out of her bathtub. She suffered symptoms for many years and I dare say is not fully recovered. I am hopeful for our rider, but you are correct.
Thank you for your comment. I'm not sure what happened to your previous comment, but it was certainly not deleted, I promise. It's possible it just didn't go through for some reason. I really don't know.
We appreciate your input and value your first-hand experience.
Good information! Thanks for sharing it with the world.
I would add that, like charity, safety begins at home.
Pay attention.
Agree on verbal and visual signals to note obstructions, holes, etc.
And, as always, enjoy your ride!
My sister and my husband, both had bike accidents, sans cars, one wearing a helmet, one not. Story short: following a bike accident around the lakes here in BR, my sister clipped another rider and went down and now has permanent brain damage and is disabled, in a nursing home with private caregivers for most of her waking hours, confined to a wheelchair, with speech aphasia limiting her ability communicate. She has advanced degrees in English but is no longer able to read. My husband, on the other hand was thrown over his handlebars but has fully recovered from a broken pelvis and has a destroyed helmet to show for his accident, but an intact brain. I apologize if this offends anyone, but it is the absolute truth. Regarding the argument (which is often cited) that riders wearing helmets feel free to engage in riskier behavior, ask yourself if simply strapping on a helmet would make you feel like doing something reckless. No? I didn't think so.
Feel free to send the link below on to whoever you think may find it helpful - it's also got good information regarding other bike safety rules and advice on choosing a helmet. Remember, in making the choice to forego wearing a helmet, you are not making a choice for yourself only. Your spouse, children, and other loved ones will bear the burden of your care, should you suffer a brain injury: https://youandmeodyssey.com/2021/01/05/an-avoidable-tragedy/
One more comment, if I haven't worn out my welcome with a group I don't yet know. There is a quote in this article about the lady who had the accident, "It could be weeks before she is fully recovered. She has sensitivity to light, gets tired very easily, and has intermittent feelings of nausea. To be blunt, it’s not fun. Thankfully, she did not sustain any additional injuries. " Realistically, it could be months, years, or maybe never before she fully recovers from these difficulties. People who suffer TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) often have symptoms that last quite a long time. Since my sister's accident, I've done a lot of reading and am on a Facebook page, Traumatic Brain Injury Healing & Recovery Support Group. A common refrain among people suffering these injuries is that, to others, they appear to have recovered, and yet, they don't feel the same, think the same, process information in the same way, etc. They often suffer depression, headaches, and experience a multitude of difficulties they did not experience prior to the injury. If anyone reading this is friends with the lady who had this accident, bear this in mind. The brain is complex and does not heal easily.
You're 100% correct. In fact, I have a family member who suffered a traumatic brain injury. She sustained it after falling out of her bathtub. She suffered symptoms for many years and I dare say is not fully recovered. I am hopeful for our rider, but you are correct.
Thank you for your comment. I'm not sure what happened to your previous comment, but it was certainly not deleted, I promise. It's possible it just didn't go through for some reason. I really don't know.
We appreciate your input and value your first-hand experience.