My stepson (almost 16) had went to Michigan for a snowboarding trip. On saturday he was doing tricks and somehow hit his head on the ice, but didn't bother telling anyone. Later in the day, he barrowed a friends helmet to try a different trick. This time he fell straight up and down, head first. He hit so hard it cracked his helmet, and the doctors said that if he hadn't been wearing the helmet he'd be dead. So, right now he's still in the ICU in Michigan. He can talk, but he said he doesn't even remember snowboarding at all. If he can walk today then he's at least coming back to a hospital in Indiana. He tried once yesterday to walk, but blacked out. What makes this worse is we JUST found out about this around 9:30 last night. My husbands mom called to inform us.

By Colette on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 09:30 am:

How scary. I always worry when dh and the kids board, even with helmets it can still be so dangerous. Dh has cracked a couple. I hope he's better soon.

By Lauram on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 09:40 am:

Yikes. I hope he's ok.

By Marg on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 09:41 am:

I tripped over a kickball when I was 10. We were in gym class it was about 9 in the morning. And I fell on blacktop. I was told the gym teacher carried me to the nurse's office. She left me lay there all day until 3:00. She decided I couldn't ride the school bus. She called my mom, who called the ambulance (this was in 1976). I was in the hospital for 2 weeks. I bled through the year which relieved the swelling.

I pray he is ok. I don't remember my incident, only pieces of that day. What I remember is waking up in the hospital with a splitting headache.

By Bobbie on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 09:47 am:

It really stinks when you are not informed of things. I hope he is okay..

By Tunnia on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 10:13 am:

Thank goodness he was wearing that helmet! I hope he recovers quickly.

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 10:16 am:

(((((Nikki))))) I hope everything turns out ok. It is a good thing he put that helmet on.

By Insaneusmcwife on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 11:45 am:

Yes, thank goodness for the helmet. Please keep us updated. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 12:20 pm:

Thumbs up to helmets! I hope his injuries are nothing serious and he makes a quick recovery. Please keep us posted.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 12:53 pm:

Thank goodness he put the helmet on! I hope he gets better soon.

That is awful that you just found out about this last night.

By Kolbysmom on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 01:29 pm:

Yes, I am still upset that we found out so late. From what I understand after the accident he was able to remember what happened. Sometime after they got to the hospital he blacked out and didn't wake up until Monday afternoon. When he woke up, he didn't remember anything.

The reason why we weren't told sooner is such an odd situation. It all has to do with their religous beliefs. The don't live with us or live with their mother(she's mentally ill and unable to care for them). The kids chose to live with a family friend. We are ALWAYS asking them if they want to move in with us, but so far they haven't taken us up on it. My DH, myself or my ds are not in their religon, so it's considered bad association on their part. So, they were in Michigan for a ski trip with the family they live with and didn't bother to take our number or their mom's. She also just found out last night from what I've been told. I realize this was a little long winded, but maybe you will all understand the circumstances a little better.

By Debbie on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 02:22 pm:

Thank God he had his helmet on. I hope he gets better soon. Snowboarding can be so dangerous. My brother got hurt pretty bad a few years ago on his snowboard. He bruised his kidneys and had all kinds of problems for a few weeks.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 03:13 pm:

Wow, I'm sorry to hear this. I hope he's going to be OK. I think it's pretty normal in those types of accidents/injuries, to have little or no memory of it.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 03:22 pm:

So sorry to hear this. Hope he makes a fast recovery. Prayers are with him.

By Gammiejoan on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 04:31 pm:

Nikki, I hope your stepson continues to improve. I know you and your husband must feel helpless with him being so far away. I will be praying for the best. Keep us updated, please.

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 06:27 pm:

I am glad things were not worse, and sounds like your ss will be alright.

Now, look, he is only 16. No matter who he lives with, they have an obligation to let you know when anything like this happens. I strong suggest you need to have a written agreement with these people that in any future event of illness or injury you will be notified immediately and if they do not agree your dh will take steps to have the boys put in his custody and living with him.

Personally, I think it is absurd for boys that age - and he was certainly younger than 16 when this decision was made - to be allowed to make such a decision about where they will live. And for the people in charge to not get in touch with you is downright sinful.

By Vicki on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 06:48 pm:

I was wondering how he got medical treatment with out a parents concent? Do they have "legal" guardianship? I know when we leave for small overnight trips and leave dd with her grandparents, we fill out several forms stating that if we can't be reached, they are able to make medical decisions. We even have to have one of these at the school if we are gone as well as a copy with her grandparents. Seems odd that they didn't HAVE to notify you??

In any case, I am so glad to hear taht it looks like he is going to be ok. Thank goodness for helmets!!

By Kolbysmom on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 08:27 am:

Yes, I know it sounds crazy. They do have legal guardianship over the kids. When the made the decision to live with this family they were 10 and 12. In their defense they did try to notify us. They tried to call information but the phone is listed under my DH's middle initial. They did leave a voicemail on DH's mom's phone. She didn't get the message until Monday evening. We would really love for the kids to live with us. They've even said they want to, but the also say the will be looked down upon in their religon for living with worldly people.

An update: DH talked to him last night, he didn't remember talking to him the night before that. He was able to walk from the bed to the chair, but got a severe migraine when he did. They moved him from ICU to pediatrics, but not sure when he's going to be released.

Thanks everyone for caring and also for the well wishes! It means a lot.

By Kate on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:10 am:

I'm glad he's gone from ICU to Peds. Hope he continues to get much better!

If you don't mind saying, I'm curious as to what religion the kids and their guardians follow?

By Kolbysmom on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:20 am:

Kate, I don't mind saying. They are Jehovah's Witnesses.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:54 pm:

My youngest daughter had a friend at school whom she really liked. They were Jehovah's witnesses. A few times I called up and tried to arrange playdates, but there was always an excuse why they couldn't. It drove me nuts. When I would give DD the bad news, she would always cry. This was back in first and second grade. Eventually I just gave up.

By Kolbysmom on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 08:08 am:

Dawn, I know how frustrating it can be. My dh and I lived together for 3 years before we got married. They kids were never allowed to spend the night until we got married.

Update on Justin: He still has short-term memory loss. He can't remember talking to his dad from one night to the next. Every time he tried to sit up he gets severe migraines and his blood pressure shoots up. They've also found a heart murmur. The drs. are concerned that it might be connected to the head injury and he might possibly have some bleeding of the brain. It depends on how serious that is, but he may have to have surgery. We are driving up to Kalamazoo on Saturday and staying until Monday sometime. This potentially could be the first time I meet Bob's ex. Wish me luck!!

By Robin on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 08:18 am:

My heart goes out to you and my prayers are there for your (step)son. Good luck with your meeting with the ex..although unfortunate it may be easier to meet her now that you both have someone you love who needs you.

By Bobbie on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:23 pm:

Good luck.. and best wishes..

By Dana on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 10:53 pm:

Tragic. Best wishes for him and your trip to see him. Let us know how he is doing when you return.

By Kolbysmom on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 03:54 pm:

Here is a quick update on Justin: We went to see him this past Sat., Sun. and Mon. It really didn't hit us as to how bad off he was until the physical therapist came in and made him sit on the edge of the bed. He was so dizzy, he couldn't hold his own weight up. He kept swaying and almost blacked out a few times. On Monday he was way better. He recognized everybody right off. When he wakes up in the morning he doesn't know where he is or why. He is slowly remembering things from the past like accidents and just randoms things. He just can't remember one day to the next.

Someone brought him his guitar from home and he can still play it, but it freaks him out because he doesn't know how or why he can. He's having all his visitors and drs. and nurses sign the guitar(it's accoustic) so he can at least see who's been to visit.

Today(hopefully) he's being transfered back to Indy to a rehabilitation hospital.

By Bobbie on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 08:24 pm:

Man that is terrible. I hope that he mends up well and quickly. Poor guy. Atleast he is going to be closer to home. Big hugs to you all.

By Homewardbound on Saturday, March 6, 2004 - 06:17 pm:

I pray your stepson recovers fully. My nephew practices snowboarding moves on his trampoline using a Bounce Board - http://www.funspot.com/trampoline_bounce_board.html.

At least there's no ice!