ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Helmets
[endurance] Helmets
BECHACK@aol.com
Sun, 17 Dec 1995 22:23:36 -0500
This Thanksgiving we had an extra special prayer answered. On Aug 9th
of this year, two of my daughters we riding in the arena/pen at our house.
They had their helmets on. My 5 year old son was out watching them. They
all decided to stop and go swimming. My son ran behind the frisky 2 year old
colt that was excited and kicking up his heels. You guessed it, my son was
caught in the side of the head . Great hoof print. The older girl screamed
and was hauling his limp body out of the corral by the time I reached the
pen( about 30 seconds after the accident). I am a nurse and knew instantly
what was wrong and the long term implications immediatly. I felt his skull
give under my fingers, slight bleeding, eyes rolled back in his heas, but he
was breathing, and crying unconsolably.
911, and a 45 minute ambulance ride to CHILDRENS HOSPITAL SAN DIEGO, his
depressed skull fracture and 4 bone fragments were pulled up and wired into
place. He still has a 6 inch scar on his head, but it's right at the part
line! And I will add a plug for Children's staff, nurses and Doc's, they
were just great.
They thought he might need to be kept in a durg induced coma for several
day to minimize brain swelling and brain damage. Well we were all VERY VERY
lucky. My son was off the ventilator within 18 hours, and we were home by 72
hours of the accident. He started school right on time and is having no
difficulty in school and learning to read just fine.
Every time I see him smile at me I want to cry. Yes, we all wear
helmets, and will continue to , but sometimes even that doesn't help. If my
son had been riding with his sisters, he would have had his helmet on too.
The 4-H in this area mandates that the kids wear their helmets even to
work around the horses. With some this might be a good idea.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
BECHACK
Becky Hackworth
C&H Ranch
Alpine, Ca