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| Francine |
Mari was doing a practice stunt before the basketball game last night. She was topping, with two bases, and a back. The bases and the back were all rookies. When they went to cradle Mari they threw her backwards instead of forwards. She landed on her head. Caoch was spotting for another stunt, a stunt that didn't have rookies. Duh! I think I could do a better job of this, and I don't know anything about sports.
She didn't go all the way out, but lost her vision for about ten seconds. The coaches didn't let her move until the trainer checked her out. She couldn't walk at first, so they carried her off.
No broken bones, thank the Lord. She has a very sore shoulder back, and a concussion.
She also has a Mom, me, who is spitting bullets right now.
This is the second injury with these bases in less then a week. The dropped a girl last week, the same way they dropped Mari, only this girl broke her foot, and tore ligaments.
It was pre game practice, and they were not on mats. This is what I am nearly the most mad about. Mari could have broken her neck. They pulled the mats out after she fell. Duh, huh? Mats are required, accept during competition and games. Rookies don't base without mats. Period.
Now, here is the topper, the one that gets my blood pressure flying.
I did not get a phone call. In fact, I found out when I picked Mari up, when she got in the car. Coach Strat the athletic trainer, who took care of Mari, told her coach to call me. Mari's coach got wrapped in in something about a girl who was possibly smoking pot. Now, get this, the girl who might have been smoking pot was the back in the stunt where Mari got dropped. Mari said the girl didn't even seem like she noticed what was going on. Mari literally flew over her head, and the girl didn't even look up!
Mari's coach called me last night, after we were home. I was SO calm, and let her do all the talking. She is sweating, as she should be right now. I am so all over this one when school is back in session.
So, am I dealing with idiots? I mean, geesh, I put my child's safety in the hands of these people, and they aren't evne following simple rules, like use a mat and a spotter with rookies.
This last weekend was so long, and so full of stress, with my Mom having some health issues come up at the nursing home. I am tired, and I am cranky. You know that movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? Well, just like the movie, I'd like someone to bring me coach with a ribbon wrapped around her, so I can let her know how mad I am, and what an idiot I think she is.
There, I feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent.
Francine |
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| Tink *~*~* |
Francine, thank God she wasn't more seriously hurt, although a concussion is nothing to sneeze at. Sounds like that team needs to be swept with random drug testing, plus the coaches need to be ratted out to the school. Definintely let them know you are seriously considering legal action. |
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| annie |
Francine, that is so frightening. I'm so glad Mari wasn't hurt more seriously.
I can't believe the coach didn't call you. You have every right to be so angry! I hope they listen to you and no other girls have to be hurt!
annie |
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| VanBrujah |
Glad she is ok!
F.Y.I., several years ago Ohio (where I live) passed a law prohibiting students from doing stuff like that. I believe this was in response to a cheerleader breaking her neck in a similar accident.
Now THERE'S a happy thought, huh?
Happy New Year everyone!
VB |
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| Belle |
Oh Francine I am so sorry for Mari. I was injured at 14 when a spotter dropped me on a routine and was in a neck collar for two weeks - torn tissue at C3 area. Unfortunately we didn't know we could have sued the school and won hands down for the coach's negligence. Don't back down on this one - she may have problems in the future because of this. I was in PT on and off for a few years since my accident. I am glad Mari didn't suffer any broken bones or serious injuries, but the body is a funny thing and things can pop up from no where. Not to mention how this may affect her mentally, such as her willingness to continue cheerleading. I really am sorry to hear about this and can understand both of your frustation and pain. Keep us updated on this, ok?
{hugs}
Belle |
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| Dab |
I'm glad to hear she's ok and I can't believe the coach didn't feel her first responsibility immediately should be to call you to have her checked out.
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| Robey |
Francine,
Scream bloody murder!
This is outrageous, irresponsible behavior on the part of the coach. I am so glad that your daughter is ok. Hopefully your actions and words will prevent anymore injuries to others as well as your own child.
There are no words to describe how angry I would be. (geesh! Come to think of it, I AM angry and it is YOUR child!)
I know you will be all over it and up in the principals face! You go girl, and let us know what took place. |
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| phamton |
My oldest daughter broke her nose during cheerleading at Homecoming. She was one of the spotters for another girl. She saw a girl on the other pyramid start to fall and that girl's spotter jumped out of the way so my daughter jumped over and caught that girl. My daughter got kicked in the face but she didn't drop the cheerleader who fell. The girl had fallen from an arabesque (Picture for those that don't know what it is: http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/....html#arabesque
That was the only injury she ever got from cheerleading but has had a broken ankle in gymnastics and once Bella Karolyi (Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton's old coach) dropped her on her head and caused a serious neck sprain. She was doing a doubleback flip and Bella tried to spot her and actually stopped her roation and made her go down head first. It just goes to prove that sometimes the best spotters and coaches make mistakes. (Not that that excuses your daughter's coach---the coach should've called you immediately.)
Bev |
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| Coastalwader |
quote:
Robey wrote:
Francine,
Scream bloody murder!
ditto. |
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| Peggo |
OMG. That's awful, Francine. I'm a little concerned about that loss of vision part. Hope Mari gets a checkup after that incident.
Sounds like some reform is needed on that team. |
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| Lunarlady |
WOW!! :eek: :eek: :eek: I sure hope she's doing better today, Francine. How is she feeling? |
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| Francine |
We did see the doctor yesterday. She confirmed a level 1 concussion.
Mari is doing better today. She has some aches and pains, in her back and shoulder. She also has a slight headache. The headache will be around, most likley, for up to a week. She will not be allowed to stunt, or do any type of gymnastics, or anything that will risk a fall, for ten days.
Mari is having some anxiety from this. She has had some nightmares, and even while she is awake, she gets this look on her face that looks like she is afraid. She says she can feel it happening again, like in slow motion.
I am itching for school to be in session, so I can address this. Her coach knew yesterday morning that I was taking Mari to be checked out. She hasn't even called to see if Mari is okay.
I am calm, though. I am determined that I will make more of an affect if I don't go in there all hysterical.
Thanks for all your good wishes.
Francine |
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| Lunarlady |
I'm so glad you posted an update before I got off-board, Francine. I was wondering how Mari was doing.
In an effort to be positive about all this, may I suggest remembering how often kids bump their heads and come out none the worse for wear? Not that I'm making light of this, just that I'm trying to see a positive outcome to Mari's accident.
My concern isn't how many people are going to be punished because of neglect...my concern now is Mari. It appears that she loves cheerleading. Is this accident going to detract from the enjoyment she gets out of the sport? If the girls who didn't catch her, or made a mistake, get severly punished for a split-second goof, is Mari going to be taking the brunt of what could be "get even" bahavior from them?
I'm glad you've had a few days to calm down and get a physician's opinion on Mari's health. I'm also glad it wasn't a broken bone or neck. You're also right about being calm, cool and collected having a bigger impact than being a raving lunatic when talking to the school. In the end, your calm, cool and adult manner will benefit not only you (lower blood pressure), but also Mari when she sees you as an example of how to handle accidents.
Best of luck tomorrow. I also know that Mari's headache will go away LONG before the week is out! :D :D :D (I understand chocolate helps headaches...any way you could part with some of your store from the Stickey Mickey?) LOL!
Hang in there, Francine. When Mari gets married in the future, this whole incident is going to be something y'all laugh about. ("Well, she was dropped on her head before she met YOU, Bob...so I wonder about her judgement in marrying ya!") |
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| Francine |
{{LL}} You are a sweetie!
Francine |
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| Sirius |
Well, I know a little about how you feel. My daughter broke her arm on a school field trip due largely to a lack of supervision (totally not my daughter's fault). It is hard to decide what to do, but one thing I wanted to make sure of was that, in the future, this type of accident would not happen again. I am suggesting to you that you pursue, if nothing else, formalization of better safety procedures for the school. |
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| Crank |
{{{Mari}}}
Sick 'em Francine!
That is reprehensible! |
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| Robin |
After she hit her head, lost her vision for a few minutes and was for a short time unable to walk they just had the trainer'check her out'?? Then released her?
Granted I don't know what the norm is, but shouldn't you have been notified immediately and Mari taken to the hospital for xrays or something before being sent home?
I thank G-d Mari's a tough cookie. We periodically hear horror stories about kids getting injured (or worse) playing sports, and there is no excuse for a school taking any risks with a child's life after a serious accident. |
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| DWDreams |
Francine, I'm so glad your daughter is okay physically and hope she'll be able to put this behind her and continue with something she loves. Shame on that coach! I would also be furious for what happened -- before, during, and after. I would absolutely take this up with the school and make sure that this never, ever happens again. There are a few issues you brought to the table in your post, good luck and don't let them try to back you down (as happens so often!). Let us know how it goes! |
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| DWDreams |
quote:
Robin wrote:
After she hit her head, lost her vision for a few minutes and was for a short time unable to walk they just had the trainer'check her out'?? Then released her?
Granted I don't know what the norm is, but shouldn't you have been notified immediately and Mari taken to the hospital for xrays or something before being sent home?
I thank G-d Mari's a tough cookie. We periodically hear horror stories about kids getting injured (or worse) playing sports, and there is no excuse for a school taking any risks with a child's life after a serious accident.
I agree, this is the part that scares me the most. You don't mess around with head injuries and while I agree that it's probably important to find out if there is/was a drug issue involved with another team member, that part can wait! To not get immediate treatment and not even notify the parent to have the option of immediate treatment is insane. I have a daughter that plays competitive soccer and I literally cringe every time she takes a face shot, I would be infuriated if something like this were to happen to her and I wasn't called. |
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| TrpltJanie |
Francine,
My jaw dropped to the floor when I read your post and could not believe that no one notified you right after that happened. I'll be more than happy to come over and do some major butt kicking for you. I wonder if you have notified other parents of this situation and all of you came up with a better plan in protecting your children from these kind of accidents. Geez...I'm so glad that Mari is okay.
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