Linking the Week

Warmer weather is starting to appear, and how many times have you jumped on a bicycle without a helmet, whether it was for a short ride in traffic across town or many miles down a bike path. There are various reasons why you would not wear one; from it just being something else to carry when you get to your destination, it messes up your hair, you look dorky with it on and the countless other reasons. Well 22 years ago tomorrow, I didn’t have a bicycle helmet on while riding home from soccer practice and it impacted my life. I won’t go into the specifics about what happened and the injuries suffered but needless to say it has changed the thought process of using bicycle helmets for many people I know when I tell the story.

Here are some facts from the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute regarding injuries for bicyclists:

• There are 85 million bicycle riders in the US.
• About 540,000 bicyclists visit emergency rooms with injuries every year. Of those, about 67,000 have head injuries, and 27,000 have injuries serious enough to be hospitalized.
• A very high percentage of cyclists’ brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet, estimated at anywhere from 45 to 88 per cent.
• 770 bicyclists died on US roads in 2006, down just 14 from the year before. Over 90 percent died in crashes with motor vehicles.

Now I don’t want to scare you with the statistics as a bicycle is a great way to get around but throwing a helmet on your head is another thing you should do when out riding. Helmets vary in price, but some can be purchased for around $20.

If you don’t have a helmet, I encourage you to check out the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute website to find out more information. At the website you will find information on how to buy a helmet, how to fit a helmet, the locations where the use of a helmet is mandatory and until what age (you may be surprised at some of the restrictions) and much more.

When you are riding a bicycle always make sure a helmet is on your head, as you never know what can happen.

Linking the Weekend to the Week today is the website of Paul Corman-Roberts . You may notice the Corman in the name, and yes Paul is related to me as my brother-in-law. As a poet, pundit and pulpist in the San Francisco Bay area and author of Coming WorldGone World, Paul provides a unique take on the events of the world through his words. On his website you will find some samples or teasers of his work, upcoming events, products for sale as well as a blog with information he finds relevant. Be sure to check out his words, and let Paul or myself know what you think.

There are conditions in the world which you know exist, but until it strikes you personally it is hard to comprehend the significance of the condition. The significance of one of these events came to life for me in 2000 when I was informed Christina, the girlfriend of a college friend, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was a shock, and quickly did I learn the information behind brain tumors with the diligent research Jason conducted as he and Christina tackled this together. Not shortly after, I received a phone call from Venu, another college friend, who was also diagnosed with a brain tumor as well. Within a year two people who grew up with different backgrounds were both diagnosed with similar brain tumors.

The paths Christina and Venu took after their respective surgeries were quite different as the brain is a complex part of our body. Christina was able to get back to work and in spring of 2002 Christina and Jason were married. Venu continued to live on his own in the Bay Area but did not have the immediate results of Christina. Unfortunately as I stated above the brain is a complex part of our body and as time went on Christina started to have additional problems as a result of the tumor. While Christina continued to stay strong and fight as best she could on December 27, 2005 Christina lost her battle. Christina is not the only person I know who lost a battle with a brain tumor. A few years ago with a quick turn of events a neighbor on the cul-de-sac where my parents live was diagnosed with a brain tumor and with a short number of months lost his battle. Ever since this happened the end of the block has not really been the same.

While there are some unfortunate stories of brain tumors, I do want to say now seven years after his surgery Venu is winning the battle with his brain tumor. While he is not back to how he was before he was diagnosed with the tumor he continues to fight on and live his life. I know the hope someday is somehow the knowledge of how to fight a brain tumor becomes common knowledge to the medical community so we don’t have to tell these stories.

One way you can help is by visiting the National Brain Tumor Foundation website to find out more about brain tumors and how they are “dedicated to promoting a cure for brain tumors, improving the quality of life and giving hope to the brain tumor community by funding meaningful research and providing patient resources, timely information and education. In addition this Saturday in San Francisco is the 14^th Annual Bay Area Brain Tumor Walk and Angel Adventure. Venu is walking in this event again this year and I have no doubt Christina will be in his thoughts. If you wish to sponsor his walk you may do so on is walk page, or you may support NBTF from their website as well.

As a side note, Venu is featured on the brochure for this walk this year not only in San Francisco but I have also noticed his picture on the Denver walk coming up later this spring. He is on the far right of the picture.

I was recently going through a list I accumulated of businesses and websites I was aware of doing business, and thought how can I help others become familiar with these individuals I know. If you are reading this is a different town, state or country you may not need the services some of these businesses offer but there are others which may be utilized no matter where you are located. With a mix of readers to my blog and a growing list of these types of sites, I have decided to make Monday “Linking the Week”.

Every Monday I will post a link to something of interest for you to check out, while some may deal with photography others may deal with business needs or anything else which I come across. I hope you will check back each Monday to see the latest link and learn more about the people and the services offered at the other end of the link.