Super dark sense of humor or?

[Anonymous]

My kids got new bikes for Christmas and so did the neighbors who live a few houses down. We moved to the neighborhood in August and due to COVID haven’t really gotten to know them but our kids are around the same age. They have a 9-year-old girl and 11&14 year old boys.

The little girl had a TBI as a toddler after falling off the back of the dads bike (the dead was improperly attached). She now has some fairly severe developmental delays and behavioral issues. Mom said she’s basically permanently about 2.5 years old. Sweet girl, very loving but throws some pretty stellar tantrums as you’d imagine. Parents definitely seemed overwhelmed at times, who wouldn’t be.

Well all of our kids were riding bikes (social distancing as much as possible) and I noticed the little girl didn’t have her helmet on but her brothers did. One of my kids who fights putting his helmet every time commented on why the neighbor girl didn’t have to wear hers. Mom then laughed and responded to him, “oh honey, it’s too late for her at this point.”

I was kind of shocked. I figured she just has a dark sense of humor and most likely the little girl threw a massive tantrum and they didn’t want to have a battle but also... I hope it was a joke. I know a TBI is awful and they’re probably still mourning the loss of who they thought they’re daughter would be but she’s still very capable of injuring herself again and getting another brain injury or god forbid dying.

I felt pretty bad for her. She said it forth loud and while yes, she’s not your typical 9-year-old she still may be able to pick up on the “joke”.

[Anonymous]

*seat was improperly installed, not “dead”

[Anonymous]

Dark humor. What can she do?

[Anonymous]

LOL!

[Anonymous]

OP, it's probably an expression of grief.

[Anonymous]

Just dark humor. The poor mother is just trying to cope.1

[Anonymous]

Leave it alone.

[Anonymous]

I’m shocked. Can a fall like that really cause such a severe TBI??

Now I’m scared for my own kids.

Also, the reason they don’t force her is likely due to her sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown. I get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked. Can a fall like that really cause such a severe TBI??

Now I’m scared for my own kids.

Also, the reason they don’t force her is likely due to her sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown. I get it.

Certified brain injury specialist here, yes a fall like that can cause a severe TBI especially in a child. And I agree with your second point about sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown they have to get through every day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked. Can a fall like that really cause such a severe TBI??

Now I’m scared for my own kids.

Also, the reason they don’t force her is likely due to her sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown. I get it.

Certified brain injury specialist here, yes a fall like that can cause a severe TBI especially in a child. And I agree with your second point about sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown they have to get through every day

This is so so scary to me. Do helmets really protect against such a fall?? I love to ride bikes with my kids but the helmets seem so flimsy and it’s hard to keep them secure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked. Can a fall like that really cause such a severe TBI??

Now I’m scared for my own kids.

Also, the reason they don’t force her is likely due to her sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown. I get it.

Certified brain injury specialist here, yes a fall like that can cause a severe TBI especially in a child. And I agree with your second point about sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown they have to get through every day

Former social worker in a brain injury program. I was going to post the exact same thing.

Also, as the mom of a kid with ID and one with MH issues, OP might be freaked out by us because we all joke like this. Dark humor really helps you to accept your reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked. Can a fall like that really cause such a severe TBI??

Now I’m scared for my own kids.

Also, the reason they don’t force her is likely due to her sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown. I get it.

Certified brain injury specialist here, yes a fall like that can cause a severe TBI especially in a child. And I agree with your second point about sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown they have to get through every day

This is so so scary to me. Do helmets really protect against such a fall?? I love to ride bikes with my kids but the helmets seem so flimsy and it’s hard to keep them secure.

A helmet probably doesn’t protect fully for a really small kid on a bike. I always cringe when I see people biking with 1-2 year olds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked. Can a fall like that really cause such a severe TBI??

Now I’m scared for my own kids.

Also, the reason they don’t force her is likely due to her sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown. I get it.

Certified brain injury specialist here, yes a fall like that can cause a severe TBI especially in a child. And I agree with your second point about sensory issues and not wanting to cause a meltdown they have to get through every day

This is so so scary to me. Do helmets really protect against such a fall?? I love to ride bikes with my kids but the helmets seem so flimsy and it’s hard to keep them secure.

PP CBIS here. Yes they do. If they are properly fitted. Obviously they are not 100% and some activities are just too fast and too dangerous but yes they prevent brain injuries

[Anonymous]

Unacceptable.

[Anonymous]

Another SN mom here. I can't imagine not wanting to protect your child from further brain injury or other injury. Most SN moms I know are incredibly vigilant.