helmets are not optional

[Crankin]

Well, Oakleaf, I guess that I am just an old hippie. I have no problem at all with the government paying for things for people who need it. I guess my problem is that one, people just complain about all of these things that are mandated, but are too irresponsible to take responsibility for their health, safety, etc. In the end, it is really not my problem. But, I wish we could find a way to make things equitable. I don't know why this country has to be so "individualistic" that we have come to this point. Sure, EU countries are highly taxed, but the quality of life just seems better. My husband manages several EU branches of his company and I am envious of the benefits and the lifestyle. Some people would tell me to move, or that I am anti-American, but somehow, there has to be a solution. I am not an expert on this topic. All I know is that my son is very happy to have good coverage for a reasonable premium. He paid about a hundred dollars a month more before this, to insure himself, while most of his friends had none. I don't love insurance companies, but in the past year I have had occasion to use mine for some very expensive diagnostic tests and specialists; 3 MRIs, a CT scan, several ultra sounds, blood work galore, PT, and specialists at the Brigham. I was not questioned on anything. A couple of years ago my husband had 2 stents put in and 2 angioplasties within a year period, which was all paid for, 100%. And there's people on this forum who have to wait months to get approval for an MRI! It's really not fair that all people can't have this; I mean I only have it because the policy at my husband's company is really good.

OK, this is way off topic of helmets. I do get on a rampage about safety and health issues. Just riding with Denise G. and hearing the story of her accident on a personal level has given me a view on this issue that most don't get.
I won't say anymore.

[OakLeaf]

((Robyn,)) how can you and I agree on all that stuff, and have gotten into a disagreement on some technicality?

[bean fidhleir]

+1 on preferring social coverage of all medical costs, even those caused by an individual's negligence. I reckon that no matter what it costs the rest of us in dollars, the victims are paying the most in every other way, every day.

Apropos wearing a helmet, I like this aphorism: don't bother with a helmet if you've nothing to protect.

Ages ago, I came across a 2-page excerpt from a trial transcript. The case involved a 40yo man, hs grad, responsible job, solid citizen, who was clipped by a car as he was peddling along. Not a big hit, just a brush with the fender, enough to knock him off the bike. But he wasn't wearing a helmet. Despite how minor the accident was in superficial terms, he suffered permanent brain damage to the point he could no longer work and could barely function at any level. The transcript made poignantly clear that the poor soul could hardly string a coherent sentence together, and it was questionable whether he could truly understand much that was said to him. The excerpt closed with him saying (not as clearly as this) "I should have been dead. They tell me I should have been dead".

I wish I still had that excerpt, because it was terrifying to read. I can't imagine anyone reading it and then going out on their bike without a helmet. They'd truly have to have nothing to protect.