[ronsroni]

Expect the unexpected. I worked in the TBI (traumatic brain injury) unit in a renowned hospital in NYC. Sadly, I had kids and grups (grownups) who fell on skates, from a bike and walking while on a phone on Broadway. The child on the phone went off a curb and fell onto the street a got a bump on his head (the back of his head).Skatergirl wore wrist and knee gear but no helmet. When the left side of her head met the curb, it hurt. The bicyclist was riding his dads old bike on fathers day as he had done for the seven years prior, as his dad was no longer with him. When Bill (biker) was pedalling to the top of the first hill near his home, he felt the chain snap. Bill went head over handlebars and "piledrove' his head into the asphalt. He remained conscious. A man watering his lawn watched the entire event unfold. The fire/rescue team in place, a medic said Bill was ok and Bill said 'I broke my neck''. Bill was able to lift his arms and snap his fingers; concussion only. Rolling his eyes, the medic said, 'sure. If you say so'. The youngster on skates lost his life from a bleed in the back of his brain as he was delayed going to the ER as they waited too long. imagine the guilt. NO HELMET. Skatergirl, last I heard, was still alive but hardly... no helmet.
My friend Bill DID have a helmet on which saved his life. His neck had 3 breaks but no sever in his chord. Because he was a weightlifter, his neck was so developed that it saved his life along with his helmet. Seems sometimes we can help us not to go before our time. He is now retired from dentistry but worked steadily thru age 78.

[paulandjean]

With that logic, should we have helmets on when we drive our cars and carts ?

[Whatever]

Originally Posted by asianthree

most of didn't have a seat belt or didn't use them for most of our lives. We are still here.

and dumber!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sandybill2]

Originally Posted by JC419

I think it's great expressing the wisdom of wearing hemets. Many valid points. However, I think calling people idiots and disparaging their lineage, as well as generalizing and stereotyping is mean spirited. Makes me wonder about the validity of the Villages as "the friendliest place on earth"

I totally agree with your comments. I so dislike the mean spirited comments that are posted on some of these threads and am sad that it seems to be happening on a more regular basis. I still believe the majority of the residents in The Villages are truly friendly people.

[jimbo2012]

You can lead a horse to water....

I'm surprised there is no law on motorcycles in Fl (as well as other states)

We wear ours and will continue to do so, if you knew when an accident was going to happen, there wouldn't be any.

yet there are others that still smoke in spite of the evidence

[RichieLion]

I often wonder about the self righteous. It's OK to try to be as safe in everything you do, if that's the way you want to live your life. To belittle others who don't share the paranoia is pretty small.

There are many things is life that may be considered dangerous. Others might consider those things exhilarating, and what gives life that spice.

I like lots of others have rode my bike without a helmet when I was younger.I'm now 55 and consider myself to be not lacking in common sense therefore I wear a helmet when I ride now.I ride pretty often out on the streets of the villages & let me say with the way we all drive around here a helmet may not be enough protection(maybe a suit of armor is in order) I wouldn't ever consider hopping on my bike without wearing one.Please don't say I should be riding on the multimodal paths. I fear more for my life there than out in the road!!

[billethkid]

even in politeness folks get their biased slam in ....I am not without common sense therefore I wear a helmet.....not very tolerant of others free choices...they aren't making fun of you for choosing to wear a helmet....eh?

btk

[Bill32]

Originally Posted by Jim 9922

I see motorcycle riders without helmets, smokers puffing like chimneys, drinkers on the Squares, resturants and bars hopping into their carts and cars and driving home, sun bathers and pool people frying their skin, fat people eating more junk food, neighbors climbing on their roofs to clean gutters, people mowing lawns and using blowers without eye, foot and hearing protection, people in carts driving 21 MPH or even faster, people working on or crossing "active" golf fairways without hard hats, walkers at night without reflective clothing or lights, etc, etc, etc.
The point is, at our age if we want to bubble wrap ourselves, we probably know where to find the stuff. If not that's where survival of the fittest takes over.
Just my opinion

Totally agree with you!

[Bill32]

Originally Posted by AJ32162

I think the same thing every time I see a fat person in the buffet line at the Golden Corral.

[asianthree]

Just remember that the transplant list gets shorter everytime the helmet law it thrown out. Bad for some but 5 others get a new chance

Originally Posted by billethkid

even in politeness folks get their biased slam in ....I am not without common sense therefore I wear a helmet.....not very tolerant of others free choices...they aren't making fun of you for choosing to wear a helmet....eh?

btk

OK here we go....As a person with common sense I don't feel I have a "CHOICE"common sense dictates one should wear a helmet....PERIOD!!!!

Originally Posted by ilovetv

Good grief, think of your spouse of significant other (who came here to live the dream) having to take care of you as a quadraplegic and/or vegetable.

If you want to maim yourself that's your choice, but don't do that to loved ones who'd have to spend every day watching you in a nursing home!

[Jim 9922]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Just remember that the transplant list gets shorter everytime the helmet law it thrown out. Bad for some but 5 others get a new chance

For several years I worked with a hospital that "harvested " organs and had an excellent spinal and head trauma center. There was a saying' "Motorcycle accident without a helmet - a donor; with a helmet -a "C-7", meaning the victim was probably paralyzed from the neck down from a snapped spinal cord.
I personally would never ride a motorcycle because of the potential danger in case of an accident. I prefer the stability of 4 wheels and a steel cage around me. However I do not begrudge anyone who wants to ride a cycle with whatever protective clothing he/she wants. Nor will I lecture that person as to what is safe. Just don't cry to me if you are hurt!.
As with anything, all of us know the dangers and we are free to set our risk levels. So, please refrain from bubble wrapping all of us unless we really ask for the wrap.
Just my opinion!
(Please note, this was not aimed at asianthree, your comment just stimulated my memory)

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by KEVIN & JOSIE

It's great to be free to make your own choices in life. Had an uncle smoke cigars until he died at 92 years. Had another friend die at 48 years from flesh eating virus. Had another friend at 46 die from blood clot. Had a work associate, worked out, was a vegitarian die from brain cancer at 54 years. Make your choices, live your life, ultimately you have no control over the outcome.