By Shterna Karp for COLlive.com
I owe the semblance of order that my life has right now to a helmet. Seems quite clichéd and overused but a helmet literally saved my father’s life.
Most of you probably know my father, even if you don’t this is still something worth hearing. My parents were bike riding this morning. My mother had already crossed the street and my father was following close behind her. My mother heard a shriek and turned around. A car had taken a red and hit my father.
He had flown off his bike, landed on the side of his head, and rolled a few feet on the ground. He was moaning and disoriented. Someone took my mother’s phone from her and called Hatzala who was quick to respond.
My father was taken to the hospital where they found that he had one or more broken ribs, both his knees were practically stripped of their skin, and a baseball-sized welt coming out of the side of his head.
If my father wasn’t wearing a helmet- I’m scared of what could have happened. My father has scrapes and bruises given to him by his helmet which, even though he won’t admit it, I’m sure are quite painful. It would have been worse. Judging on the way he fell and the force he fell with, if my father wasn’t wearing a helmet, he would chas veshalam…
I’m writing this now with a simple message in mind. If you value your life, wear a helmet. If you value your family and friends lives, convince them to wear a helmet too. It’s as simple as that. There are no destinations too close, no areas of the road safer than others. My father was hit on the corner of Franklin and Eastern Parkway, just minutes from our home. It was while he was following the rules- he had the right of way but yet there was still that one driver with the suspended license who drove through the light.
There always will be that one driver and that one second that can be possibly fatal- unless you wear a helmet. So please do, wear it for all those you love and wear it for everyone who loves you.
While I’m at it, a big kudos to all the Hatzala members who responded so quickly. Thank you Yingy Bistritsky and Yossi Friedman of Hatzalah for staying with my parents at the hospital until you were sure that everything would turn out okay. It was actually they who suggested that we publicize the story and let everyone know that you can save your own life.
Thank you to Rabbi Avrohom Lieder of Ahavas Chessed who rushed in the early hours of the morning, to Kings County Hospital trauma unit to make sure my parents every needs were met. From making sure there were no delays between tests to arranging food, drink and a private waiting room for my mother.
So please, wear a helmet. Its a few seconds extra work that can save your life- take it from my family- I know!
Need a helmet or other biking gear?
Check out the Crown Heights Bike Shop
if the parents and siblings can write that well, why cant she? talent is talent in any shape and form. it is not nice to say that she didnt write it just because it is GOOD! have some sense please…
THE REBBE SLEEPS AND SLUMBERS NOT IN PROTECTING HIS KINDERLICH
i have been living in the shechunah for more than a yovel i have seen the birth, the growth, and the work of hatzalah for the past four decades we all owe a debt of gratitude to Yingy Bistritsky who has for many years gone out of his way countless times and for countless hours – to help US in our hour of need we also owe him a debt of gratitude for the humble service he gave to our Rebbe, always taking care to respect and uphold the Rebbe’s dignity. it’s easy to call Hatzalah when we need them… Read more »
bais rivka
Kudos to the bike-shop in CH which sells not only helmet’s of all sizes but also sells (at cost price) a very handy pocket-sized, Sidur-TehilimTanya-Tzedaka-Pushke which every biker should have with him for safety, just as when we drive a car. While we certainly should follow all Bike Laws and all Bike safety recommendations, that should also include having a small portable pocket-sized Chitas, Sidur, Tehilim, Tanya and Tzedaka Pushka (except for the Chitas) you can get it all at cost price of only $5 and it can all fit, even in your shirt pocket. And, don’t forget to use… Read more »
i actually was in a bike accident too!! but i wasnt wearing a helmet!! luckily im still alive! and didnt break anything!! i think what saved me was the rebbes siddur that was in mine backpack !! which i dont leave mine house without it!! p.s. wear youre helmet and dont take any chances!!
Wow! Baruch Hashem everything turned out okay and a big Yasher Koach to Shterna for this well written report.
my best friend wrote that.. im very proud. i will always wear a helmet
The Rebbe says that a Kosher Mezuza acts as a Helmet.
Elul should serve as a reminder to us all to check our Mezuzos (as “Helmets”).
The wonderful Rebbi you are referring to is Rabbi Yanky Karp. In your days he was new – now he is seasoned like fine wine. My sons were/are lucky to have him as their teacher.
from the UK. You said you’d never take a plane that even lands here temporarily. Well you came in for quite a landing but so glad you are OK B”H! (That was to put a smile on your face). A continued refuah speedily.
Shterna, hand it in to Ms. Bernsen!
luv ur fans down under!
Get well soon Zalman. Not sure that N.Y streets are a safe place to ride. Perhaps you have a nearby park. Anyway look after yourself and Shterna you are the best!!!
Rabbi Karp admonished me for what I did, but did so in a way that exuded true care and understanding of how seriously he took his job as Mechanech
nothing much has changed
howeverI’ll tell you the truth, he was a pretty new rebbe at the time and he was average as rebbes go
Today he is neither new nor ordinary!!!! Ask us parents
PS you have got the wrong Rabbi Karp.
Zalmen is the big younger brother
go shterna!!
go tenth grade beis rivkah!!
and again, goooo shterna!!
I’m not sure this is the same Rabbi Karp, but I believe he may have been my 6th grade rebbe in ULY 24 ago. I’ll tell you the truth, he was a pretty new rebbe at the time and he was average as rebbes go. But I’ll never forget one day he took us to the Ave. L. park for a special recess we earned for our behavior. On the way back as we were crossing Ocean Parkway and I ran out into the street to cross ahead of the class. I knew I could make it but I was… Read more »
if anyon takes note of your senseless comment you have blood on your hands……….
my son aged 14 at the time was knocked down by car while on his bike, right outside Yeshiva
I took his damaged helmet to the bike shop to replace.
Seeing cracks in the helmet on either side and the salesman concern in a hushed tone “how is the child”? he was b”h back in yeshiva) I certainly am determined to have no dhild of my ever get on to a bike without a helmet.
My 14 year old daughter was also hit by a car while riding her bike. She didnt want to wear a helmet because she didn’t want to ruin her hair! I forced her and it saved her life. She flew off the bike and the helmet cracked in half. That could have CH”V been her head. She got up and walked away with some large scratches but that helmet definitely saved her life.
That’s right- so since you MAY be hit by a car c”v while walking, don’t bother wearing a helmet while biking? Grow up and get just a little common sense.
thats why people should always were a helmet
Zalman, I’m very happy to hear that you are B”H okay!
Naftaly Greenberg, LA
We wish RabbiKarp a complete Refuah Shleima speedily! We know that he will be back in the classroom soon teaching our chaim and all the other lucky boys who have such a great teache. B’suros Tovos!!!
If this was written by a ten year old I’d be amazed.
Well done Shterna for showing your natural writing skills which you should have at this age.
Shterna, you wrote a most eloquent article. Please Hashem all who read it will take it to heart and spread the message. Helmets are the only practically foolproof way to prevent brain injuries. Don’t bike without a helmet! And kol hakavod for biking because exercising is a huge mitzvah!
I asked the paramedics who arrived at the last one how often they get calls for bike accidents- and they said 2 every 24 hours… and most of the people are not wearing helmets….
There is a difference in being run over while you are walking and being thrown off a moving bicycle and projected into the air, only to land on your head. Helmet’s save lives. No need to be cynical and suggest the article meant to wear it at all times.
And I’ve seen more than 7 who got hurt while crossing the street. Maybe we should all think twice about crossing the street in Brooklyn??
From your cousins in Colorado.
It’s so very nice to hear some good things on this website!!!!! so hapy to hear everything is going good what a big miracle!wow mamush amazing mamush pausht gr8tly amazing ,good to hear good to hear
Well written!! Shoutout to the BR Grapevine!!
wow excellent article shterna!
love your bungalow friends 😉
what saved rabbi karp’s life is the helmet he wore and the maasim tovim he does which he carries with him all the time.
Zalmen you are so ofen the shliach of goodness and kindnes.
Now you have made us aware of the importance of helments. Sorry this has come about with so much pain on your part.
Chanie I am sure that your initiative of the uniform project has contributed to the miracles
would it be even safer not to bike????
As an avid cyclist, with some racing experience, I must point out that that many individuals are wearing their helmets in positions that will not protect them from frontal (most common) impact. I recommend that you do an on-line search for tutorials that educate the audience in the proper positioning of a bike helmet. Additionaly, know that some cheaper helmet models have straps that will not hold the helmet in place during impact. Another important cycling accessory is the ROAD ID. It is a tag containing important information (emergency phone numbers, etc.). The tag can be worn on a specialy… Read more »
Good Safety message, Shterna!
First Zalman – a refuah sheleimah — I hope you get a good lawyer — lots of money to be made if the other guy had insurance.
Hashem is watching over Rabbi Karp the way he watches over his precious second graders year after year!
yes safety rules is extremely important, but you need to realize that even with the helmet your father had a big miracle and we need to thank Hashem …….he must have some special zchusim…….
Should have gone on a treadmill better….
Thank G-d you’re OK. Helmet or no Helmet…This is clearly a miracle of HaShem. Apparently, you’ve got lots of good things to accomplish to transform this world into a Dira B’tachtonim.
I agree totally! I tell many people I see biking without a helmet the same thing, and often get a smile and wave of the hand telling me to leave them alone. But, helmets do save lives and help to prevent brain injuries. If you break a arm or leg biking; they usually heal well. But once a brain is injured; the damage is forever. Bike safely!!
B”H your parents had a good outcome. About 4 years ago my son was BH wearing a helmet when he was hit by Hummer and BH only sustained minor injuries…..when we got to the emergency room they told us that they just saw 2 other similar accidents with not such good results!!! Always remember your helmet!!
Refuah shlaima!!
OR EVERYTIME I CROSS THE STREET? JUST DONT GET IT.
HE GOT HIT BY A CAR. YOU COULD BE WALKING AND GET HIT BY A CAR THAT TAKES A RED.
B”H you are ok. Refuah Shleima.
send your dad A refuah shleima form forta in mexico
Refuah Shelaima..
Well written. I hope Zalman is doing OK. Theres a great bike shop here in Crown Heights (Ch Cycles located on Empire right next to Empire Kosher) I think everyone should take advantage of them and get your helmets. You don’t have to go far. As this girl wrote so eloquently and passionately, its a matter of life and death. Don’t let your kids bike without one.
come on, no need to be obnoxious! There are some 14 year olds that can write well and shterna happens to be one of them! Very well written Shterna, thank you for taking the time to share this with us all. Refuah shleimah to your father.
thank you for posting. powerful and well written
seatbelts … smoking …
venishmartem me’od lenafshosechem,
the one mitzvah that says me’od
I’m glad your father is alright. Thanks for sharing this message. I was in a bike accident once that put me in a body cast–thank G-d I was wearing my helmet.
I have been advocating & pushing helmets for over 30 years here in Montreal. B”H more & more children & adults wear them now but a lot still do not.
Also it’s very important that the helmets are strapped on properly otherwise they are useless.
Another important fact is that many children & adults ride very recklessly & it is only thru miracles that we do not have a phletora of accidents.
I am glad that your father is okay.
I see boys, girls, men, women, and even irresponsible parents allowing their kids ride their bikes with no helmet!! Are you kidding!!!! In this case, I wish the cops were ticketing full force!
BH Rabbi Karp is ok. And unfortunately a story like this has to be published in order to wake some people up!
At least 7 members of our community have had serious bicycle accidents in the past year (5771). Several have taken months to recover. B”H none of the fatalities this year in the City were from CH. I would think twice about how safe it is to ride a bike on Brooklyn streets. A kid I know tried to avoid a busy intersection and was ticketed for riding on the sidewalk.
Not bad for a 14 yr old… If only every one of them would write like this….
Then again, they all do… (Parents and siblings always write for everyone- it’s part of it)
Never forget who’s really running the show!
powerful and well written! kol hakavod for sharing a personal experience with a life saving message for everyone.
glad you’re fine,zalman,b’h b’h.
Beautiful! Just a BEAUTIFUL article!! Thank you for the Reminder…………May your Dad have a quick and painless refuah shleima!!