Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Here is what my sister had to say:

The article also really hit home for me, when I read it today. In 1998, my 10-year-old daughter, Katie, was racing her dad and brother home from a fun bike riding trip. She was wearing a helmet.

As she was flying down the hill on our street in Planterra Ridge, Katie looked over her shoulder to check on the proximity of her rivals and the bike’s wheel went sideways.

Katie flew over the handlebars, landed on her head, and lay in the street unconscious.

She was Life-Flighted to Egleston Children’s Hospital where they found that her brain was hemorrhaging in both hemispheres. Because of the helmet, Katie did not die on impact.

Through the tremendous power of prayer, Katie survived an injury that her doctor said he had never seen anyone survive before. She regained consciousness the next day.

She suffered severe headaches for an entire year, before being able to live her full, healthy life again. (She now cheers on Landmark Christian School’s varsity squad.)

Please remember that this accident happened with a helmet on. If Katie had not been wearing the helmet, she probably would not be with us today. Please make your kids wear their helmets. Helmets do save lives and so does prayer.

Donna Parker

Peachtree City, Ga.