How I Became PARALYZED - Why You Should WEAR a HELMET - Paralife Episode 17

[@suzyq6767]

I'm happy you lived. In 1997, my 9-year-old daughter's rear tire was glanced by a pickup truck within sight of our house. She slid across the street into a curb and suffered a fatal closed head injury. After brain surgery and six days in ICU, she was removed from life support and died 30 minutes later. If she had buckled her helmet, she would have lived. Instead, the helmet flew off, leaving her head unprotected to the impact with the curb.

[@adaptivetravel]

So sorry to hear about your daughter but thank you for sharing why helmets are so important ❤

[@theenglishman8668]

I have always worn a helmet while cycling, since I fractured my skull in a motorcycle accident. I was traveling at about 60 km when a lady driving a car ran a stop sign, causing me to hit her. After I flew over the car, I hit my head on the curb, causing me to sustain a skull fracture. Although, I have permanent injuries that I have to live with, I had to over come temporary amnesia. Life is precious, however it is never the same after a head, and or a spinal injury.

[@manfrummt]

Wow. What a tragedy. Life is so fragile. She got her wings way too early.

[@kirstenspencer3630]

Very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing to prevent injury to others. This so honors your daughter. Yes always a buckled helmet.

[@baird5776mullet]

🙏

[@33Nautiboy]

It is selfless and generous of you Craig to share your accident and so the younger kids can learn from you. Be Strong and Be Blessed for the journey ahead...

[@misty51]

I have been a paramedic for 9 yrs, and only have a handfull of cases that were real spinals injuries thank god, howerever cases where people get severe head trauma because they are to pround or feel to lucky to wear a helmet, that I have wayyyy to many. Thank you for wearing yours, life as quad might not be ideal, but it is far better then one with major head trauma. seat belts and helmet should not be optional. it's not only your life but your quality of life that might be change. Love your videos, they help me better understand my patients.

[@adaptivetravel]

It's a bad situation but it definitely could have been so much worse! Glad you enjoy the videos, keep up the good work 😀

[@louiedangelo3843]

Man sending my respects , you seem upbeat and at peace. Its great to see.

[@adaptivetravel]

Thanks!

[@Addy-745]

@@adaptivetravel hope you start walking soon I will pray 🙏

[@paulnic7190]

I’m glad you lived. You seem positive. You’ll be ok. My wife had a bike injury. Helmet saved her. Small brain injury affecting her sight and balance. Still improving. Good luck mate.

[@adaptivetravel]

It's just been brought to our attention that non-Brits may not be familiar with the word 'lorry' so for clarification a lorry is a truck

[@jt3512]

Lol ty I had no idea what that was

[@ducheau100]

Yes, I had to google it.

[@morgancalvi6675]

@@ducheau100 I Googled it as well, but was still unsure as to whether it was a big rig that carried food to a super market, a food truck, or what.

[@shaisaunders2979]

I was lost, thanks.

[@morgancalvi6675]

@@shaisaunders2979 I'm lost too. I'm in a horrible situation and need help.

[@deanostratfull8]

As a nurse in NSIC, this is a harrowing account, so brave of you to do this Craig, I'm forever telling my sons of the risk of not wearing helmets or protective gear, my 7 year old has watched this, in sympathy and shock at the damage of the helmet and what could've been if you hadn't worn it. All the best !

[@adaptivetravel]

I'm glad that it helps teach your kids to wear their helmets! For us, it was worth sharing if it teaches even 1 person to wear a helmet :) Stay safe!

[@irenedavo3768]

@@adaptivetravel I agree! Please watch 8 videos of Jim Nduruchi

[@MOAB-UT]

Helmet good for fractures but does nothing for concussions. Zero actually.

[@abdul-raheemmuhammad6409]

Hi Craig, glad I found your channel! Although my injury level is C5-6 (Quadriplegic, 1983), I just subscribed anyway because I like to see people of all injury levels cope and successfully adapt to their situations. Bless you man. :-)

[@adaptivetravel]

Thank you for your kind message, it's good to have you with us 😀

[@kevinasaurus]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, but glad you survived. Helmets work. Thank you for your informative videos.

[@LectronCircuits]

What a gory lorry story! Bin all of the bits & stop reliving it. Cheers!

[@MOAB-UT]

Same just happened to my buddy- only he was doing 150mph on a motorized bicycle. He is alive but he wishes he was not. He will never get better- only worse says all docs. Only one arm moves now. Stuck in a bed in his own lonely apartment. He was an outgoing, nice and handsome young man. New dad- that is all mostly gone now. Pain is a constant despite heavy drugs and cannibals.

[@barrylyndon80]

Sometimes it's better not to survive an accident, I guess. I have slipped on a wet floor recently, the result was a brocken ankle and slipped knee cap. I am walking on crutches and just sit on my rocking chair the whole day. Even if I am not in any pain, I would feel miserable if my health situation would not change. So I don't know, where people take the strength and motivation to keep on going. I feel very sorry for your mate.

[@joeshmoe7967]

How was nor doing '150mph' on a motorized bicycle. That is over 200 feet per second. Car sure, motorcycle sure, bicycle?...doesn't add up. None of that negates that there was an accident and he was injured. He could swallow some pills with whiskey etc. That is what i would do.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@joeshmoe7967 Mr. Shmoe, I was semi-joking. By motorized bicycle, I was referencing his powerful sportsbike (motorcycle.) He was doing 150mph- 140mph at time of impact. He did the whiskey thing- then pot, then all their pills. Over the past year, his pain has only gotten worse as those remedies became less and less effective. He will never get better- only worse said all doctors. He will never stand or walk again. Only one arm works.

[@LectronCircuits]

Those heavy drugs & cannibals must be eating him alive! Audience wishes him all the best. Cheers!

[@MOAB-UT]

@@LectronCircuits Cannabis. Yeah- nothing works anymore for him. One bad decision on any given Thursday. Take good care and thanks for the well wishes.

[@teijaflink2226]

That helmet totally saved his life, crazy how smashed it was.

[@ronwhite8503]

Cycling, and motorcycling, in London has taught me to always keenly observe my surroundings. Sorry to hear of your accident but keep your chin up, young man.

[@jhrhiggi]

My younger brother had a similar accident, head down on a decent decent when we were out training together, he was far enough ahead I could see it unfold but there was absolutely nothing I could no to avoid it happening…however he was one of the “lucky ones” despite cracking his bike frame and a trip to the doctor he still walked again. I’m sorry for the extent of your injuries.

[@cefnonn]

Thanks for uploading. I also had a very nasty cycling head injury which kept me off work for five months. I do not agree with the helmet advocators, though. A helmet might be a benefit in some instances but the point is that helmets do not make accidents any less likely. The source of the problem is frequently the cars and lorries etc that we share the roads with. I always say that my cycling skill and experience are what keep me safe on the bike; from practice I know how the other road users are going to not see me, underestimate my speed, not give a damn etc etc. Thank goodness helmets aren't compulsory in the UK. They aren't much of a direct safety benefit except in rare cases. I know many or most people will disagree.

[@merson812]

Craig, well done for surviving. Keep on keeping on.

[@AndJusticeForAll...1985]

Much love and prayers for you brother. God definitely loves you.

[@JAM-zb2vh]

God saved your life to be a voice to save others God bless you brother.

[@ronwhite8503]

Or was it god's will that he crashed? In reality life has nothing to do with fictional deities.

[@rl7012]

@@ronwhite8503 So what is your proof that there is no deity?? How can you assert something that you cannot possibly know?

[@benskoropada3030]

Me not believing in a God doesn't mean that I think a God couldn't be possible but that it just doesn't seem reasonable for me to believe it. Can you prove that unicorns, fairies, Santa and bigfoot don't exist? If no then you should believe in them, right?

[@eddiecrocker6081]

Hi Craig, Just ran across your video about handcycle and electric handcycles, and then this one popped up. Im so sorry about your accident, I had one very similar, I ran into the back of a stopped SUV, my face was cut up real bad, but I did not get any real injuries, I thank the Lord for that, its always hard to tell how I didnt see a stopped car but I know how easy it can happen. Im hopping to find out which type of hand cycle you finally got. Since your in England, (my wife is from Thetford) I probably wont have the same brand, Oh I forgot, Im not crippled completly, just having some strange nerve damage resulting from Cancer and Radition, oh well happy cycling, Eddie

[@singstreetcar5881]

Im giving u a big hug. Ur such a strong person

[@zwan1820]

2 years ago My husband fell at work and broke his spine ( t5 complete)and ribs his was 5 months away in diferent hospitals it’ been a very hard road we have 4 kids 2 small babies at the time of accident, we still cry and he is in pain all the time he is only 35, as a wife I was mad at God and very tired from seeing him suffer when he is a great dad🥺in the beginning because went through hell

[@zwan1820]

Glad to see you are better and talking about your experience sending you Love from Texas❤️

[@adaptivetravel]

Sorry to hear that. We were "lucky" about the timing of Craig's accident, since we had just finished education and yet to have kids. Gave us a chance to focus completely on getting our lives together without any responsibilities. We hope things get easier for you!

[@kgspvgsp7569]

You sound like u need to walk away from this relationship, we all have the right to do what we want in life. When I got injured, those who tried to stay around was shitting their frustration on me because they where not happy, it was no help. Just walk away, I was much better when these people left anyways

[@Wheelchairtravels]

Similar story here. Also looked down for a second or two to reach the suspension switch... helmet saved my life.

[@adaptivetravel]

It sucks that it only takes a second to change your life so drastically. Were you mountain biking?

[@Wheelchairtravels]

@@adaptivetravel Nope, It was an asphalt road but very "bumpy" one. That second was enough to find myself on the side of the road with a big ditch/hole at the front of me.

[@adaptivetravel]

It's crazy how quick it can happen! Your travels look cool, how did you find Prague in terms of accessibility?

[@Wheelchairtravels]

@@adaptivetravel It was a very short visit in Prague. Lots of cobble stone streets - used a freewheel all the time. Can't say anything about the public transport.

[@adaptivetravel]

@@Wheelchairtravels yeah, the freewheel is great for trips like that. We use ours all the time!

[@norcalchrismeister]

You're a cool and positive dude! Wish you all the best.

[@annaparigi4427]

My boyfriend too had a cycling accident in july 2p18 the 22th. He was hit by a car. You re amazjng guys. Greetings from Italy ♡

[@barrylyndon80]

How is your boyfriend doing now?

[@donnakebab91]

Wow that's so close to me I live in Southampton and used to get the bus to Lymington passing Lyndhurst plus dad is a lorry driver and parks up in Marchwood. Hope you are doing much better and have a good future despite the accident. Lovely and positive couple. 💜💜💜

[@adaptivetravel]

It's such a small world! We are doing much better now, making the most of every day. Thanks for your lovely comment 😀

[@davidtolley4979]

Life can change in seconds and it will never be the same again but as I have found and many people I know there is life after a Spinal cord injury you just have to find different ways to get where you want to be keep looking forward

[@adaptivetravel]

Exactly, unfortunately we can't change what has happened so it is all about making the best of the new situation.

[@SuperBarytone]

Have a friend who is a very passionate amateur cyclist. A guy of small stature in a really good shape but he also had a serious accident. He was wearing a helmet and was doing a training ride. His mistake was looking down as he was trying to stay more aero(never look down when going full gas!). He was riding alone and after turning a corner he went straight and.. There was a car parked by the side of the road with a trailer attached. He hit straight onto the back end of the trailer and immediately flew off his bike slamming his head onto the back of the parked car. He was in the hospital after this where they kept him in a coma. He woke up 2 weeks later and was cleared to leave and get back home quite fast. However.. his wife had her supicions and later it turned out that he had received a trauma to the head causing permanent brain damage. For some reason it wasn't detected until much later. The damage to the brain caused a slight change in his behaviour. Something I noticed aswell when talking with him. I'm just happy he didn't die which could have easily happened had his neck snapped on impact.

[@sixstanger00]

The question is, why was the lorry just stopped in the road like that? There are no buildings or other structures on either side in the section, so what was the guy doing there just stopped in the road??

[@paulnic7190]

They mentioned that around there is an industrial estate. I bet the driver wondered if that was the road he should have taken on his tight

[@mysticalmisty9772]

Your so lucky to be here looking at your bike etc do you know why the lorry was parked there? Seems to be a odd place to be stopped..

[@adaptivetravel]

yeah could've been worse! apparently it was delivering to one of the nearby sites, why it didn't drive in and park in the delivery bays I don't know. Pretty awful timing really as 99% time that road would be empty

[@kaycee5129]

You are so positive and you have a great attitude- I wish you all the best. That Lorey should not have parked there!!! How dangerous and heartbreaking !!

[@chrismaimone3275]

Its such a sad story. I will pray for you.

[@lindamarie6574]

Happy you are okay!

[@dlbrittain1976]

you guys ....this is a very good video...giving us your story, and explanation ...you were very lucky although physically injured...and keeping a positive outlook....and a new road to travel now...:)

[@adaptivetravel]

Thank you, I know it could have been alot worse!

[@virkelie2]

It is very brave and good of you to make this video. Hopefully it won't be too long before they can heal spinal cord injuries. So hang in there!

[@ent1tygb863]

Wow that Helmet paid for itself ten-fold , truly remarkable you came away with your life ......best wishes from a fellow cyclist.

[@MustaphaAbdulazizMustapha-Eloc]

Informative..thanks

[@achimschmidt2547]

I wish you strength and send you love.

[@petercallaghan4718]

I’ve smashed four helmets in about the last 40 years, none were high speed falls (front wheel swept away on each fall, my head and shoulder hitting the floor before I realised I’d fallen … it happens very quickly). On the last occasion, the helmet was smashed again and cracked throughout, but this time (when I was 57) I was unconscious for about 20 minutes until ambulance took me to intensive care (two days) and mri scan plus reinflation of right lung. I was fortunate not to be seriously injured , though broke my top two ribs in two, broke my shoulder, and snapped my right collar bone and had nerve damage down right side. Took about a year to recover properly, with much physio. Dr in a AE said I’d not have survived without helmet. Nhs said I didn’t need physio, but thankfully had private health insurance so this started when I transferred to private wing of hospital for another four days, as well as many specialists doing additional checks, which continued as an out patient. All that I remember about the fall was a simultaneous loud bang and a metallic tinkle … my head hitting the ground and bike going down the road. I still ride a racing bike on very quiet roads, but more often use a Brompton around town cycle paths and a Moulton which can tackle less than smooth tracks out of town. Drivers are the other big threat these days, worse than 50 years ago, more aggressive and basically stupid.

[@adriansandry2783]

So the main takeaway is to look where you are going rather than head down and cycle hell for leather. Very sorry for what happened to you.

[@thomaslawrence6038]

How fast were you going ? Was the truck parked? Was it your neck that actually broke I am glad your doing better, wish you the best!!

[@adaptivetravel]

I was going around 25 mph, the truck was parked but it was on a blind bend so I just didn't see it! My main injury was in my upper back (T4-6) but I did also fracture my neck (C1), I'm really lucky that I didn't damage my spinal cord in my neck! Thank you, it's good to have you with us :)

[@pandorasbox2216]

I think we can all agree @salt&pepper is very rude and hateful and should just keep it moving. From one para to another, life changing experiences can happen in a matter of seconds. Glad Craig is alive to tell the story. ❤️

[@adaptivetravel]

Thanks for the support ❤

[@pandorasbox2216]

PARALIFE you’re welcome 😊

[@kjtan9913]

OMG... Do u remember how fast you were going? The bike's completely destroyed. It's amazing you survived!

[@glennbaker5430]

I have never wore a helmet Think i will get one. I did try one on but it just seem to land on the top of my head.

[@WiltshireMan]

Very sorry to hear about your accident Craig, I know your now paralyzed from the chest down but was wondering if your still able to get some cardio workout to stay fit using your upper body?

[@StuffOffYouStuff]

Shit dude. Really sorry to hear that. Man, glance downs are dangerous. Ill be sure to only do them when i riding SLOWLY from now on.

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

This almost happened to me, glad chicken out just to taste a bit of a valuable lesson, the crash wasn't bad but my bike's wheel bended hard that it acted like a brake to the rim stops, thus sending me off to spikey exposed rock black top giving me permanent deep cuts, and a bother some elbow. People will not stop to help you when you are bleeding on the ground.

[@chrisannlittle]

What is a laurie?

[@adaptivetravel]

A lorry is a heavy goods vehicle - I think they are called trucks in other countries? Sorry didn't think that not everyone will be familiar with that term so thanks for bringing it up :)

[@morgancalvi6675]

@@adaptivetravel lol..ok, what us a heavy goods vehicle...a 16 wheeler/rig truck?

[@adaptivetravel]

We have no idea what a rig truck is either so couldn't tell you 😂

[@chavale2]

@@adaptivetravel Lazy and stupid Trucks Drivers omg . There should be signs warning against parking in those curves!!. You could sue the Council (20M) for not erecting signs GREG. Cheers

[@tonymartin7849]

Exactly. You don’t park right in the lane on a 2 lane road.

[@guscunnilin]

For my fellow Americans, lorry=truck. God bless to you and your loved ones

[@singstreetcar5881]

Lorry Truck Tanker Trailer Vehicle Car Pick up

[@tonymartin7849]

Hope you’re doing well. And colour of lines aside, lorry driver put you in danger by stopping on a blind corner right on the road.

[@bspiderm]

What is a lorry???

[@sid_gm1949]

Truck 🚛 lorry 🚛 ( lorry/ truck) The two different names used depends upon the region.

[@siannevautour8659]

What was he doing parked on a highway ?

[@batecridetoowoomba4563]

mine was a motorcycle accident. without my helmet I would probably be dead

[@adaptivetravel]

Yeah helmets really are a lifesaver, used to occasionally not wear one for easy rides before the accident but we never even consider not wearing one now!

[@batecridetoowoomba4563]

IF I WAS NOT WEARING a HELMET I would have been dead and I'm very lucky to be still alive. I had my accident in October 1990 and I'm also T4 paraplegic

[@rcworks9762]

Wish it had gone better for you... On a club ride in Long Beach California one of the younger riders trying to catch up ran into the driver's side front wheel of a car... This was in 1975 so he was wearing the old leather helmet that were lovingly referred to as a hair net. He landed on the other side needing a bunch of dental work and some stitches. We never saw him again. He gave up. I saw am older guy, I came up on him on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington beach by the bird sanctuary. He had hit the back of a small hatchback car and shattered the rear class and bent the top of the hatch frame. He looked in a bad way. We called the paramedics, when they took him away he was still with us, but you could see it was serious. I never left the house without the "Skid Lid". I lightly used a few of them. Nothing serious. I got my share of scars from racing. No one gets away clean if they were all in.

[@morgancalvi6675]

There are 2 mats...were they also in the accident somehow or are they just in the yard? If he had a big lump, his head did take the impact. In order for the helmet to have really protected him, it would have needed to go down his back, as well.

[@adaptivetravel]

They are just doormats I'm afraid, no exciting story about them, they just live in the yard 😊

[@morgancalvi6675]

@@adaptivetravel 😂.I had a couple of those...they are super good! Mine were incredibly heavy.

[@morgancalvi6675]

@@adaptivetravel oh ok. As far as the video.. As you probably know, I broke my neck goofing off on a hill (in someone's wheelchair, ironically) and it was a compression injury from tipping backwards. I wonder if a helmet would have made a difference? I saw recent MRI's of my neck...and OMG the spinal cord is literally STUCK to my C4-C6 vertebrates--some 40 some years later!

[@rhhmunro]

Did you claim on the lorry driver' s insurance?

[@gaussiansplatsss]

are you complete or incomplete spinal cord patient

[@irenedavo3768]

How fast were you going?

[@myomeolife9089]

Well made...

[@adaptivetravel]

Thanks Matt!

[@dfcvda]

happend to me in 2014 now i have epilepsy (and have to take Keppra) which feel free to google the medication, its hardcore.. a VP SHUNT for good measure which helps me stay alive..oh and TWO sub dural hematomas ..for good measure... havent ridden since infact I put my EddyMercx Corsa Extra on the wall. My memory is shot to bits i loved my job/career as a Doctor but had to retire....wear a helmet. i was 44

[@irenedavo3768]

I try to help in Kenya mainly Jigger Victims but have also bought Helmets for Piki Piki Riders

[@missyaero]

I took a motorcycle ride as a pillion in Zanzibar as I wanted to get across the island. The rider offered me a helmet but I didn't like shared helmets so I declined. Got stopped by police minutes later and was made to wear the helmet or else 😊

[@ashstubbings2603]

Mmm. Well..There's not much you can say really. You have made me think though, that although I do most of my handcycling on the pavement I might just start wearing a cycle helmet from now on! Just as a matter of interest though, do you think cycle helmets should be made of tougher stuff? I mean it's still quite possible to hit something or (God forbid) someone at 30mph plus on a bike!

[@adaptivetravel]

I always wear a helmet on my handbike, even if you don't cycle quickly, someone else might hit you! As far as I understand, bike helmets work by crumpling upon impact (and dissipating the force), if you made them of something tougher it might not crumple anymore. Any improvement s in the design are very welcome though!

[@chavale2]

@@adaptivetravel So unlucky!! Lesson learned: Please do not BIKE on the MAIN roads as you have nothing to protect you well; Always look ahead and hear well to predict things.

[@FrankSuper817]

Mercy 🙏🏽

[@albertatlock]

Why were you looking down?

[@AndyYoung789]

Maybe I should get a helmet. How fast was he going when he crashed into the parked truck, I wonder.

[@shaisaunders2979]

Wow, wishing you'll the best. Put God First.

[@adaptivetravel]

Thanks!!

[@Lar308]

Bad idea wearing a helmet visor on a racing bike or even on a sports motorbike. I have one helmet with visor for my upright pedal bikes and another for my racing bikes without visor. You need to lift your head too much with a visor which leads to neck pain and you lower your head more often to relieve that. I have smashed up three helmets in pedal bike accidents so I know how they saved my life.

[@deee1776]

I don’t understand because that corner doesn’t look ‘blind’ to me.

[@its_mi.]

If you're going slowly it isn't necessarily but at 25 m/h, looking down for a few seconds, I can understand why he didn't see the lorry.

[@adaptivetravel]

Also, we were driving around the corner extra slow for the sake of the video 😀 It's not completely blind, but blind enough that looking down for a second was enough 😰

[@kaycee5129]

Without a doubt this truck should not have been parked here- why would anyone expect a truck to be parked around a curve....

[@tonymartin7849]

Nah. It’s clear that would be a blind side. Lorry driver should be 100% at fault. It’s a road, not a parking lot.

[@neoneherefrom5836]

High-speed descents require full attention and anticipation of anything and everything.

[@pentiuman]

Don't wear your helmet always. (In the shower, you can remove it.) Keep your positive attitude.

[@KonradNielsenDK]

👍👍👍

[@wohlhabendermanager]

What would work even better is better cycle infrastructure. Why - as cyclists - are we forced to share the road with motorized vehicles?

[@morgancalvi6675]

Did you see the Tour de France where the guy went over the hill? He was wearing a helmet...those do NOT protect uour neck or back.

[@adaptivetravel]

Didn't save my back either 😅 but it did save my head and quite possibly my life! I'm paralysed but at least I don't have brain damage. There are some big crashes in tour de France, its lucky more of them don't get serious injuries!