[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Meanwhile, Byte1 asks an important, significant, profound question:


How does it hurt anyone? Let me count the ways:

If the biker was in a crash with another vehicle, the driver of that vehicle will have to live with knowing that the biker might be dead, or suffer paralysis or permanent brain damage, for the rest of his life. I can tell you from experience that being the "one who survives" a crash is no picnic.

If the biker has family or friends, they will have to live with their dead or brain-damaged or paralyzed loved one. If the biker lives, he will burden his family/friends for the rest of his life, however long or short that may be. Medical expenses, hospitalizations, surgeries, 24/7 home health care, mental health care, intubation, someone to switch out the ostomy bag if he's paralyzed and unable to move his own bowels, and so on and so forth. Traumatic brain injuries and upper spine injuries are no joke.

The health insurance company, which bets on people being healthy and never needing medical care, will have lost the bet. When your premiums go up next year, it's because too many people won their bet against the health insurance company. Too many people did too many stupid things that cost the insurance company too much money - and SOMEONE has to foot the bill. That someone is everyone else.

Their kids might now have to grow up without a father or mother (depending on who was riding the bike). If the rider survives and has traumatic brain injury, those kids will likely have to assume the role of caretaker. Imagine your 15-year-old daughter having to help mommy change your feeding tube and rub lotion on your butt to prevent bedsores.

The family will probably be short a wage-earner now too, since people with traumatic brain injuries tend to have trouble finding and keeping a decent-paying job. If he's lucky they'll let him clean the dining area of the local Burger King as part of a program for brain-injured folks in the area. For less than minimum wage.

All because daddy decided his "freedom" was more important than his family's ability to function.

Awesome response on this subject and a dam good reason for selling your motorcycle or not buying one with or without wearing a helmet.

Thanks