In Thanksgiving : Christina Margaret Porter - The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Purpose:
The Christina Fund is created for fostering research and development to address head trauma from skiing accidents, and for the treatment of a student skier with severe head trauma as a case study of progress that can be made in recovery. This will include the injuries sustained by Christina Porter, Dartmouth College, Class of `06 and Saint Ann's School, Class of `02.
Introduction:
Christina Porter's near fatal skiing accident in February, 2004, could have been prevented by a public and private commitment - mandated in law when possible - which requires wearing helmets not only for beginning students in a sport such as skiing but also for all people who ski. What`s more, the ski instructors should have been wearing helmets, a requirement throughout the nation for certification for a ski instructor. In the state of New York and other states where people ski, as many as 12,000 severe accidents occur each year largely from the lack of protective helmets. Legislators can make a big difference. Institutions, public and private, can establish requirements for helmets. The ski industry can follow suit. And all of us can support a campaign for wearing helmets as well as for studying severe head trauma that can result without helmets. Research from the American Medical Association calls for mandatory wearing of helmets based upon extensive medical and rehabilitation findings. In practice, only children are required to wear helmets. All professional skiers and snowboarders wear helmets by choice. The US men's ski champion, Bode Miller, is an advocate for helmets. On the other hand, the ski industry seems to be against the requirement for wearing helmets. Only the most exclusive ski resorts require helmets and other safety equipment. CONSUMER REPORTS has published safety test results of not only ski helmets, but also bicycle helmets. If people will not wear conventional helmets, then a campaign is needed for the redesign of helmets, made available within an acceptable price range. As to bicycling, everyone seems to be on the same page concerning the essential the essential role of helmets for safety - From Lance Armstrong to manufacturers, storekeepers and anyone who enjoys bicycling. Help us bring the same commitment to helmets for those who ski or are learning to ski. For prevention, help sponsor research and for those already injured, rehabilitation.
