Question:
I am doing a poll of people in my state to see just how people feel about legislation on ski helmets. I have a brain injury from an auto accident in 1986. I am also a peer support counselor for people with TBI in my state for the Maine Brain Injury Association and thru a BBS (bulletin board system) on my computer that serves people with or affected by disability. I monitor and am cosysop and conferance facilator of the Brain/Spinal Disorders Forum. The Brain Injury Association of my state (a member of the National Brain Injury Association) will be reviewing the results of my poll of disabled and people affected by or professionals working with people with disability. My daughter works for a ski company that is one of the branches of the ski resort Sonny Bono died at. My daughter will be conducting a similar poll amoung the skiers (informally) to see just how they feel about ski helmets. This gives us a chance to see just exactly how people feel about helmet use in this sport and where we need to provide more education. The loss of Sonny Bono and Michael Kennedy is tragic. But even more tragic is it takes proment public figures to make the world think about the many skiing injuries and deaths each year. comments ??

Answer: Also to your local Brain Injury Association and to the local newspapers. It will help someone. The more that read it the more likely you are to help someone who otherwise wouldn't have thought about it. I have been listening to the responses on my poll. One mother of a child with ADD/ADHD stated "I would insist my child wear a helmet to ski. So yes I would want legislation for ski helmets for children. As for me? No way. An adult has a right of choice. If they die or are head injured that was their choice" It is answers such as that that shows me how much educating is really needed. This is a woman that hasn't #1 a clue how serious a head injury is and #2 isn't thinking about her children being without a mom or a severely disabled one. As of this date 80% are voting yes to helmets and 20 % are No votes. Interesting results.