WillnCaroline
New member
I was reading last night, thinking about what all I learned in class y'day when I noticed my siggy. It had my little boy, Will's age, height, weight and seat. It also had my little girls stats.
Thats when it hit me. After realizing that I put Will (4 1/2) in danger by turning him around too soon, I kind of became a car seat freak. Since then, I've done everything humanly possible to protect my children from the #1 killer, MVAs. I research the best seat, have them installed by cpst's in the most safe mini-van I can find. I take my vehicle for regular check ups to make sure its the most safe it can be for my precious cargo. I also (try to) drive them as safely as possible.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my child dying. Of anything, but especially of something other than the #1 killer. Although, technically, I guess you could say she died in a MVA.
My husband is the owner of a small bulldozer grading business. He has 4 tractors. The kids have been around bulldozers, skidsteers, backhoes, etc since birth.
The Friday of labor day weekend, we had been having a family yardsale. It was a long day. After the sale, I took the kids to pick up pizza. We were all hot, tired, dirty and hungry so the kids had dinner at the living room coffee table while I ordered (our new regent carseats, ironically) and my husband cut grass.
The kids were playing between their plates of dinner that were of no interest and a pile of dirt that they dig in. About the same time they went out, I heard the lawnmower turn off and the bulldozer turn on.
I didnt think a thing in this world about that. Probably 3-4 nights per week the 3 of them would go on tractor rides around our property.
Thinking the kids had gone in with me, Michael began doing some bulldozer work. Between the time he started the tractor and began working, the kids had walked up. When he looked behind him, he didnt see anything. Then, from the side, he saw Will screaming. He stopped and realized what had happened.
Caroline was behind the bulldozer when Michael began working.
I'm in EMT school. I am far from knowledgable but I do know some things. I was able to begin CPR on Caroline. I was also able to recognize the signs and I knew that there was going to be nothing to do to save her. By the time the paramedics arrived, she no longer had a pulse. The paramedics and docs worked on her for almost 2 hours.
Life will never be the same but I decided shortly after that I have 2 options... A. sink into a depression, climb into bed, cry non-stop and let my family fall apart as a result or B. pick up the pieces a little at a time, go about life and try our best to continue to raise the child we still have in a healthy environment. Its hard.
Anyway, that is Caroline's story and this is a website I started during my pregnancy with her:
http://www.babyhomepages.net/babygirlcooley/index.php
Thats when it hit me. After realizing that I put Will (4 1/2) in danger by turning him around too soon, I kind of became a car seat freak. Since then, I've done everything humanly possible to protect my children from the #1 killer, MVAs. I research the best seat, have them installed by cpst's in the most safe mini-van I can find. I take my vehicle for regular check ups to make sure its the most safe it can be for my precious cargo. I also (try to) drive them as safely as possible.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my child dying. Of anything, but especially of something other than the #1 killer. Although, technically, I guess you could say she died in a MVA.
My husband is the owner of a small bulldozer grading business. He has 4 tractors. The kids have been around bulldozers, skidsteers, backhoes, etc since birth.
The Friday of labor day weekend, we had been having a family yardsale. It was a long day. After the sale, I took the kids to pick up pizza. We were all hot, tired, dirty and hungry so the kids had dinner at the living room coffee table while I ordered (our new regent carseats, ironically) and my husband cut grass.
The kids were playing between their plates of dinner that were of no interest and a pile of dirt that they dig in. About the same time they went out, I heard the lawnmower turn off and the bulldozer turn on.
I didnt think a thing in this world about that. Probably 3-4 nights per week the 3 of them would go on tractor rides around our property.
Thinking the kids had gone in with me, Michael began doing some bulldozer work. Between the time he started the tractor and began working, the kids had walked up. When he looked behind him, he didnt see anything. Then, from the side, he saw Will screaming. He stopped and realized what had happened.
Caroline was behind the bulldozer when Michael began working.
I'm in EMT school. I am far from knowledgable but I do know some things. I was able to begin CPR on Caroline. I was also able to recognize the signs and I knew that there was going to be nothing to do to save her. By the time the paramedics arrived, she no longer had a pulse. The paramedics and docs worked on her for almost 2 hours.
Life will never be the same but I decided shortly after that I have 2 options... A. sink into a depression, climb into bed, cry non-stop and let my family fall apart as a result or B. pick up the pieces a little at a time, go about life and try our best to continue to raise the child we still have in a healthy environment. Its hard.
Anyway, that is Caroline's story and this is a website I started during my pregnancy with her:
http://www.babyhomepages.net/babygirlcooley/index.php
. Like others have said, your determination to become a CPST and EMT is amazing. Many of us would probably choose the "climb into bed" option...To be able to move through the pain to help other people shows so much courage. Thanks for being willing to share her story. {{Many hugs}}
