Tuesday, May 18

A PSA for Helmets


This a Public Service Announcement with a lot of tears and a fervent request if you are a cyclist.
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For almost 15 years our friend Aaron worked in public relations. It was fairly stressful and although it never really seemed to fit him, he was very good at it.
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About 5 years ago, he "retired" from the rat race and he and his wife started a company leading bicycle tours. First, just in the US and then later in Europe. Oh, how they loved it.
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People of all abilities rode with them. They were fun, did their homework to find safe routes, became knowledgeable about the places they road and always employed a stellar chef.
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On Monday Aaron was in Italy, just out for a ride before the busy season began. A bus full of tourists whizzed by and nicked his back wheel, hard. From what his wife, Melinda, said, the injuries are severe. Head trauma and other broken bones. He is to be moved to a Paris hospital tonight.
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What she said, clearly and softly in a tearful voice was that had he not been wearing a helmet, he surely would have died. When my husband was racing, I remember many a gathering where friends would recall lives lost or shattered from a bicycle accident without a helmet.
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So, please, wear your helmet. Wear it so others will see, wear it so your kids will wear theirs too. Wear it for the ones you love.
xoSherry

13 comments:

*jean* said...

i'm so sorry about your friend, i hope he will heal...i'm so with you on this one. we never ride without helmets...

Brittany said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend...I hope for both he, his wife, and his friends and family that he heals quickly and completely. Please keep us updated.

Lynn Lunger said...

Oh Sherry! I am so sorry... I will keep your friend and his loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.

Catherine Ivins said...

I'm so sorry Sherry! They are in my thoughts and prayers- I hope he will be ok. I agree about the helmet- thank you for the reminder.

xo- Cat :)

Mary Richmond said...

will be sending good vibes and prayers to your friend and his family...i lost a friend to a bad bike fall about 20 years ago and all of us who knew her wear helmets every time we get on our bikes ever since that day...

Wear Your Wild said...

What awful news to receive! Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope that he'll be OK and that his wife will also be OK. xoxo

Kathy said...

That is so sad Sherry. I will keep him and his family in my thoughts.

Cait Throop said...

Ohhhh, Sherry! Will keep your friend in my thoughts...how awful for his family and friends. I don't bike ride but I DO wear a helmet when horsebackriding for everyone to see even though I look like a dork! xo Cait

Anonymous said...

oh gosh! you and yours are in my thoughts Sherry!
♥a

woolies said...

Helmets are critical. Our bodies are fragile. When I was thrown (flung) from my horse 4 years ago, I was wearing my helmet. Although it wasn't my head that hit - it was my back. Fractured the L-3.
I am fine (mostly) today, although have just about stopped riding. I teach beginning riding to kids, and I talk endlessly about safety.
Sherry, I am so sorry about your friend, and will say prayers for him and his family. I have a feeling he will be ok...I hope.

msbelle said...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear such sad news. I'll certainly keep them in my prayers.

I always tell my son (8 y/o) to wear a helmet. I try to make sure he does, but when he's riding around in the neighborhood I have a hard time getting him to. I think I'll let him read this.

lisaroy said...

oh my gosh! I'm so sorry to hear your awful news! Prayers and hugs, Lisa.

Ann Renee Lighter said...

This is a moving story Sherry.
I send wishes for your friend's recovery.