Hello, my daughter is also a barrel racer and is 15. Last 2 years she has qualified for the NBHA worlds. This year, our state law stated we have to make our children wear helmets if they are gonna show in any 4-H event. I am one of the parents that has said this is stupid. She does not need a helmet. She knows how to ride. Well, today is Aug 31 and we are still in the hospital.
Yes she was wearing a helmet that I borrowed for the week of fair, because I was not wasting my money. We all teased her all week for looking like a dork with it on. Well, on Friday Aug 14, she was doing a race and her horse spooked. He took her for a rough ride and ended up throwing her into a gator. She went head first into it, and it destroyed the helmet.
She now has moderate brain damage and 9 broken vertebrae, but without the helmet she would be dead without a question. I thank God, and anyone else, that they passed that law in Ohio. It saved my daughter’s life! She will walk again and she will ride again thanks to a helmet I was to cheap to buy. If you get a chance go to sanduskyregister.com and look up the stories of Kristen Wells and look at the helmet.
You’re not a bad mom. You’re great mom for being willing to share your story and spreading the word on the importance of wearing a helmet regardless of your abilities. You just never know what those horses will do.
Hope your daughter has a full recovery and is back in the saddle soon.
Kim, you’re not a bad Mom because you didn’t support wearing a helmet. Look how long Kristen has been riding without one. We all know that helmets, seat belts, etc. saves lives but we never think we will need them. God was definently looking out for Kristen on that day! Please let her know that I am praying for her and your family. I’m also wondering if they are still planning any benefit dinners for Kristen, haven’t seen anything posted. If you want to email me, I can be reached at lin4rider@yahoo.com.
Dear Kimberly,
I wanted to send you a note of gratitude for your testimony and also send my personal well wishes to your daughter. You are a wonderful mom, Kristen was wearing a certified helmet.
Troxel would like to support your benefit by donating some helmets for auction or any other use you see fit. Troxel also reviews helmets involved in serious accidents such as Kristen’s, and would like to give our R&D team the opportunity to study the accident and helmet. We do this on an ongoing basis to learn as much as we can about riding accidents and certified helmets. Troxel would be glad to replace Kristen’s helmet.
Thank you again for contacting Troxel. Please send Kristen our best from all of us at Troxel.
Sincerely,
Shay Timms
CEO
Dear Kimberly,
I wish there were more helmet advocates like you. I was formerly a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon whose ability to operate abruptly disappeared courtesy of a traumatic brain injury caused by a fall from a horse. Yes I was wearing a proper helmet without which all the neurosurgeons agreed I would be dead. I am currently the president of the EMSA (Equestrian Medical Safety Association- http://www.emsaonline.net, a nonprofit organization). Our organization is trying to impact riders (often Western and dressage) who refuse to wear proper helmets. As you know, one often goes to shows and sees “big shots” without their helmets. As you know, riding ability and head injury are not related. Thank goodness Troxel actually makes a proper helmet within a Western-type hat. Keep telling your story. I sincerely hope your daughter gets better rapidly.
Sincerely,
Debbie Stanitski