Knee Pads!!!!

[lars5277]

Most of you know me and know I have kids, three of them. The oldest is Hunter, he is 10. Last night he was hit by a Chevy Blazer, while riding his bike through an intersection. The Blazer made an illegal turn and my son never saw it coming. My son was hit so hard the the old brush guard on the truck was broken. His handle bars were bent way out of shape, the tire was broken and a few other things on the bike were messed up! The vehicle was going about 25-30 MPH and hit my son from the side. He was extremely lucky, he suffered a 2 inch gash below his knee and that was all. He was wearing his helmet, elbow pads and knee pads he uses for skateboarding. I normally don't ask him to wear his elbow and knee pads while he in on his bike, but he was on his way to skate boarding and had them on. I do make him wear them while he is doing the pipes and stuff at the skate park. Those pads saved his knee cap, and who knows what else.

My point?

When the cops called me, my heart sank. Nothing in this world mattered but getting to him, even though the cop said he was alright. He was hit half a mile from my house and it seemed to take an eternity to get there. When I did get there, like any dad I was relieved to know he was ok. One of the cops showed me his knee pad and how mangled it was. I made a small $30 investment in my son. It was the best money I ever spent.

Hunter was skateboarding again this afternoon because of those pads.

For those of you familiar with my "people skills", no I did not do the driver any physical, mental or emotional harm. I wanted to, but I didn't. I was more concerned about Hunter at the time. The witnesses at the seen wrote statements that won't help the driver any.

[JLC]

Lars...I"m near tears and my heart is racing at the thought of how close that was to pure tragedy! I'm SO glad Hunter is ok!!

[frankykeno]

Lars I got to the second line and nearly had heart failure! Hunter has an angel over his shoulder, knee pads or not, that child is blessed to be here instead of the ER. I hope that driver pays for his stupidity in not only making an illegal turn but running into a child to boot!

It is a great lesson though to remind all kids that even if they aren't so "cool" safety gear will save your life or at least your joints from damage that can last a lifetime. Lordy, I think I need to run hug mine now...this sort of stuff is a parent's worst nightmare.

[lars5277]

Well I didn't mean to get you all that upset. I just wanted to pass on a lesson that I didn't have to learn the hard way for a change.


I also want to remind people of a few things. I live on a military base, arguably one of the safest places to live and raise children. The accident happened about half a mile from my house. The Airman who hit him was less than a 1/4 mile from his dorm room, and he was stone cold sober. My son had also asked the cop just before he got hit if it was safe to go across the street.

The Airmen probably wasn't paying attention, forgot where he was, had the sun in his eyes, and tried to a left hand turn from the right lane while he was already in the intersection so he could get home a few seconds faster. He was in an intersection frequented by young children due to the location of various base activities.

I don't smother my children by a long shot, but I take every opportunity to remind them and teach them how to be safe. He thought his pads were geeky until he picked himself off the pavement last night.

[SarahMB]

I'm just really glad your son is ok. I will think of this in the future, when my son decides to go bike riding!

[tigerlily]

I'm with Jo. I have an overwhelming need to hug my children, and purchase some solid knee and elbow pads.

I'm am so glad that your son is ok. It is a miracle. I can't even imagine getting that call. Oh good lord. It's so scary knowing there are somethings, in our children's lives, that we have no control over.

I hope your son knows how very lucky he is. Give him a hug for me.

[Blu Mongoose]

Thanks to knee pads, I am the happiest grandma in the world today. When my kids were growing up I thought they weren't important. At the most they would stop a few skinned knees. I'm afraid now my heart will drop everytime I see a kid riding without them.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Good thing he was wearing them!! Reminds me of my brothers motercycle accident. The law was that no helmets were needed. When he got hit it broke his helmet in the front. If he wasn't wearing it he would be dead now. Could have been the same with Hunter. I bet you were proud!! Nice story and glad it came out ok

[sweety314]

Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiig hugs!!! and ohhhhhhh so happy to hear that w/the protection and his angel Hunter is doing okay!


I can't imagine the heart-stopping you've experienced. Luckily Robin hasn't had anything like that happen *knock on wood* but I'm am sooooo relieved to hear he's okay.

Caring thoughts to you and your family!


RuLyn