In a message of 09-25-1997, J Clevenger wrote re: Potential
Accidents
JC> This happened recently near Seattle, except the it wasn't
JC> "almost".  The woman riding the bike was in great shape, a real
JC> avid cyclist.  Both her legs were mangled and severed.  She
JC> doesn't have legs anymore.   
JC> I'm happy to report that the helmet survived the mishap unscathed. 
Although this is tragic you can still do a lot without legs. 
Once you spill that grey matter in your head, you're pretty much
committed to having other people do everything for you.  And I
mean *EVERYTHING*. Everything from feeding you to wiping your 
butt. That's what I work with everyday.
There is no reliable and inexpensive protection availible to
protect bicyclists against traumatic amputation.  There *IS*
reliable and inexpensive protection for serious head injuries:
consistent and consciencious use of a helmet.
You like to present helmet use as an "individual choice" issue. 
I think only a selfish person can ignore the social cost of treating
and rehabilitating head injuries and the financial and emotional
cost families and friends bear when they have to accommodate their
loved one's new "individual choice."
* KWQ/2 1.2i * Internet: John.Thompson@ibm.net
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