reflection

[tigriswolf]

A year ago today, I fell off a horse.  If I hadn't been wearing a helmet, I'd either be dead or in a vegetative state.  Instead, the helmet cracked in two instead of my skull, and I only had a severely sprained ankle and a concussion.

I get that helmets aren't cool or whatever. I get that they're a hassle--c'mon, I live where it's nearly(if not) a hundred degrees for half the year. Yeah, it's annoying to have to wear my hair down because it won't fit under the helmet.  But if I hadn't been wearing one? *shudders*

I don't remember much of that day, but here's Mom's account, if you're curious.

Anyway. Just wanted to mark the occasion.

Comments

sounds like a very good helmet

[catdancerz.livejournal.com]

glad it worked so well!

maybe you should post the brand ;>

Re: sounds like a very good helmet

[tigriswolf]

It served me faithfully for five years and then died in my place. I'm sure it went to HelmetHeaven.

[blcwriter.livejournal.com]

Helmets are critical-- I had a bicycling accident similarly, with a broken arm as a result. Glad you had yours!

[tigriswolf]

I haven't ridden a bike in years, and I never wore a helmet then because I was an immortal, invincible kid.

I would wear one now.

[moonpupy.livejournal.com]

Of all the times I've come off of a horse, and lo, they are many, not once have I hit my head. Hip, yeah. Ass, ooooh yeah. Shoulder, arm, wrist, back, you name it. But I've never hit my head.

I also can't count the times I've hit my head on a cross tie, the tie down rail, the stall door, the grain tray, the hay tray, you name it. Maybe I need a helmet to do chores, lol.

[tigriswolf]

*hee* Maybe you should start wearing one at all times, just to be safe.

Is your icon a Simpsonized House?

[moonpupy.livejournal.com]

Yup. Apparently there was a House Simpsons episode.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

Wow, you're lucky. Almost as lucky as Michael Trucco. He had virtually the same accident as Christopher Reeve, but recovered.

[tigriswolf]

I've been lucky most all my life.

Who is Michael Trucco?

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

The actor who plays Sam Anders in Battlestar Galactica. He'll be prominent in The Plan (you see him in a resurrection tank and on Caprica near the start of the trailer I posted). He's in this icon. He played a Darklighter called Alec in the Charmed season one episode Love Hurts, you might have seen that.

[isaacsapphire.livejournal.com]

Man, this brings back some memories.

I had a pretty bad wreck on a horse when I was fifteen or so, didn't break anything but I had to go for x-rays. I got bucked off twice so I had huge bruises all over my body and there was no comfortable position to sleep in until they healed. Worst of all, the horse had stepped on my left hand. I wasn't riding in a ring per se, just a fenced area, no footing. There were a lot of rocks on the ground and I was lucky my hand didn't fall on one. It had rained earlier so the ground was soft and my hand sank into it instead of being crushed. I don't think I hit my head anyway; there wasn't any mud on the helmet. As for the rest of it I'm just really glad the horse didn't step on anything essential like my spine (or my head, because the helmet wasn't rated for that).

Moral of the story: Don't ride in a saddle with a horn with your shirt untucked; if you fall off (are bucked off), it can get caught over the horn and cause you to fall under the horse. Sweatshirts DO count.

And as for being hot, I'm going to pull the old lady card and say that kids today have it so lucky with their ventilated helmets. The modern ones are also a lot lighter and more comfortable then they used to be.

[tigriswolf]

I have noticed that tucking-in thing. I've been doing that in the last few months.

*hee* Yay for being young!

[mneiai.livejournal.com]

I count myself incredibly lucky that the singular time I fell off a horse (onto a jump, no less *winces*), I didn't seriously injure myself. Like, the sort of "OMF, THANK GOD" sort of lucky.

I don't at all get people who don't wear helmets. Like, especially adults. What, they're embracing their inner 13 year old whenever they get on a horse/motorcycle/bicycle? Safety = cool. Basta.

[tigriswolf]

My mom volunteers at a place where she's pretty much the boss of the horse program. There's a lot of girls who work with her, and they never wear helmets. She has rules for the riders under her care, but the staff choose not to, even after she showed them my broken helmet.

*marvels at stupidity*

[tigremere.livejournal.com]

To clarify-- where I volunteer helmets are required. It is the fact that the girls who participate generally never wear helmets when they ride elsewhere that I have trouble understanding.

[saberivojo.livejournal.com]

When I rode, I got dumped quite a few times. When I was a youngster, we didn't wear helmets except to show. We just didn't. No one did. Luckily everytime I fell, I landed on my back or my ass. When I started showing competitively and you had to wear helmets I did. When I took lessons I did. From the time I was in my twenties until I stopped riding I wore a helmet. Every. Single. Time. Luckily I never needed it in a fall. Although once time I was wearing a helmet and accidently walked myself into a pole! That helmet sure saved my noggin then! When my kids rode, they wore helmets. So it is a good thing. Riding is a dangerous sport. Protect yourself always.

Glad you are still with us!

[tigriswolf]

Thanks! I'm glad, too.

My mom's rule is, if you don't wear a helmet, you don't ride. Ever. I've taken that to heart.

[sgt-psycho.livejournal.com]

*Jesus Christ on a Cracker*

Wow.

[tigriswolf]

I know.

[smilla02.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. I remember you said you'd fallen last year, but I didn't realize it was so bad.
*shudder*

[tigriswolf]

Apparently, I really freaked my little sister out. She thought I was joking, and then talked to Mom and realized I really was messed-up.

[tigremere.livejournal.com]

Helmets---Every ride, every time.

Natasha Richardson would still be alive if she had been wearing a helmet.

I am glad you are still my bright, funny, smart and talented daughter. My heart would hurt every day if it had turned out differently last year.

[tigriswolf]

*snuggles you tight*

[realpestilence.livejournal.com]

I'm certainly very happy you're all right!!!

[tigriswolf]

Thank you!

[astrothsknot.livejournal.com]

I'm a firm beleiver in helmets. Luckily so's my teen. We've heard too many horror stories and near misses to not wear them.

It's not cool to be dead.

[tigriswolf]

Or having someone wipe your ass for you, the rest of your life. That's the phrase Mom always uses.