Wednesday, February 17, 2010

All I want is a drink


But I cannot have one as I am in the midst of one of my alcohol free periods. Funnily, I do not tell most friends of these, even though I undertake them fairly frequently. I have always found the minute you mention not drinking or dieting to friends some find every excuse to offer or even pressure you to indulge. This one is for two weeks and I am nearly half way. Okay, really a quarter, but on Saturday it will be halfway. But back to the point of this post.

Driving back from school this afternoon I saw one of Boy 2's friends lying prone on the footpath. Others were around him, including his mother who looked very distressed. This little man is a gorgeous kid, full of spark and life and real bounce. Even though the others were there because of how well I know this boy I chucked a u-turn and pulled over, bidding both boys, now worried too, to remain in the car.

It was drizzling that fine, annoying rain. I ran over, mobile and umbrella in hand. He was on his back, his backpack still in place. Blood ran from his nose and he had a huge lump on his forehead. The front wheel of his bike had come off as he jumped a kerb, and he landed full pelt on his face. No time for arms to be thrown out, or anything. And he was not wearing a helmet. Ambulance was called, and we waited as he faded in and out a little (not too much), and tried to keep him calm. Luckily one of the off-duty ambo's is a Dad at the school and arrived quickly. As he is the wonderful paramedic who treated both Boy 1 with his severe allergic reaction to a tick and Wise Woman when she haemorraged, I knew the child was in safe hands. Ambulance arrived, and off he and Mum went to hospital. Both boys and I are still shaking.


Please, if your kids ride bikes, check them regularly and ALWAYS, ALWAYS make sure they wear their helmets.

A very sombre

11 comments:

PinkPatentMaryJanes said...

It now seems to be 'cool' to ride without a helmet - but scares the crap out of me. Also, heaps of kids right scooters to school - without the helmets, but at the high speeds that can lead to a mighty cracked skull {or worse}.

Aussie-waffler said...

Oh I really hope that he is okay, I saw you all pulled over and was terribly worried that he had been hit by a car. I concur, helmets, helmets, helmets, just can't stress that enough can we ?

Madmother said...

Spoke to his Dad and whilst he is still at hospital and needs an x-ray, they think all is not too bad. But I am feeling so very, very sad right now. To see his face crumple, and to watch his fear and know we could only try and ease his worries was so hard. I have known him for seven years, the two boys were at kindy together. I know I shouldn't feel so blue, but all I want to do is cry.

TheThingsIdTellYou said...

One ofthe good things about having an ASD child, Tan, is there strict adherance to 'rules'. At least, that is the case with Alexander, who can't fathom getting on his bike without a helmet, or starting the car without everyone's seatbelts on.

Hope the XRays confirm that all is well.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, I'm not surprised you want a drink! Whenever I watch things on the news or witness events like this I know why it shakes me up - because I imagine my own kids lying there and you remember just how fragile everyone is, how much can change in a split second, and you just can't protect them enough. xx

Not From Lapland said...

oh no, that poor child and his poor family. i hope all is well.

E. said...

I hope the boy is okay. I'd be wanting a drink too and I drink extremely rarely.

Kakka said...

Hope he is okay and that you and Boy 1 and Boy 2 are also okay. I hardly ever see children with helmets on these days - seems the police have too much else to do to enforce it, plus kids think they are invinsible. Hugs for you all. xxx

Jen said...

The poor boy :( . I agree with you Melissa, K is exactly that way and will comment rather loudly if people are not doing the right thing.

MM I hope that he is on the road to recovery today. Well done on the no drinking weeks too. I think they need to bring back the wearing helmets ads of the 80s or 90s? I am sure there was one with a brain surgeon and he explained what happens to a brain that is not protected by a helmet when the child falls off a bike? I can remember something like that anyway, haunts me to this day!

Thea said...

Oh how awful. I'm not at all surprised all you want to do is cry...and have a drink.
These things really shake you up.
Hope everyone is OK, including you!

Madmother said...

He was back at school today (surprisingly). He has bruises, grazes and a concussion. I think I squeezed a few more bruises in there when I saw him.

Made my day, week, month... well, you get the idea.