Bicycle Helmets Save Lives

On Sept 11, 2001, we all kmow of the tragedies that happened to our country. In beautiful Naples, Fla., on that very same afternoon, my life was turned even further upside down. My 14 year old son, Zack, was riding his bicycle home from a trip to a department store and was hit by a car. Unfortunately, this brilliant kid, who had nothing but good in his heart, and had, in fact, already earned a college scholarship, suffered severe head injuries and lost his life the following morning. A day never goes by that I don't think of him, and the fact that the anniversary of the accident is in all of our collective memories, makes it impossible to forget, even if one wanted to.

One of the most common things I hear from people is, "I don't know how you could handle that." Well, I grew up with the feeling instilled in me by my folks that you turn negatives into positives. In other words, turn lemons into lemonade. When faced with situations that most of us feel always happen to the other guy, it is impossible to say how one will react when it actually happens to you. In my case, when I looked at the motionless body of my best friend, my fishing buddy, and most importantly, my only son, the last to be able to carry on the family name, my decision was clear.

Ironically my kids and I had discussed organ donation in casual conversations over the dinner table. Thus, it was relatively easy when the neourologists, etc., said there was no hope. It was imperative that his organs be donated so that others might live or at least have a better quality of life. That decision, and the follow up in the following months from the organ donation organization, made the decision to PULL THE PLUG much easier to bear.

The story does not stop there, however. While waiting for his mother to arrive at the hospital in Tampa, and sitting with Zack in the ICU, I made the decision to write his obituary. Take my word for it, this is not an easy task. Regardless, I've never been a big fan of flowers at funerals and, in fact, knew that the best service for Zack would be cremation and have his ashes scattereds onto the area we both loved the most, the backwaters near our home, where we had fished since the first time I took him out at twelve days old. Thus, I asked that, in lieu of flowers, would people please make donations to The Zack Lezak Helmet Fund. Though at the time no fund existed as yet, I knew that was but a small matter to open an account in that name. Within a couple of days, I was called by the EMT techs from North Collier Fire Dept. who had been the very first units on the scene. They came by and handed me a check for $500 dollars and asked if I planned on doing this on an annual basis, and that if I did so, they would make a like contribution every year. I replied that I didn't know, but after recieving another 1,400 dollars from others, the embryo was in place, and the non-profit "Zack Lezak Helmet Fund" was born. As of this writing, I am awaiting another shipment of bicycle helmets which, when distribited, will bring over 5,000 bicycle helmets having been distributed through local law enforcement agencies, as well as bike and safety rodeos in our Tri-county area.

It is my hope that though, in Zack's case, a helmet would not have saved him, there have been some serious injuries and or deaths, prevented by his legacy. I believe he looks down from heaven on occasion and at least says "Job well done, Dad!" I urge every parent to make sure their kids wear their helmets, and in most states it's THE LAW. Over 85% of all serious injuries stemming from bicycle accidents could have been prevented if only the child or adult had been wearing their helmet. Think about that the next time your little one hops on that new mountain bike. God Bless any and all who read this and pass the word.

Further information about the fund can be gleaned from the archives of the Naples Daily News or by contacting me at [email protected] capnles