A Parent's Worst Nightmare!

Dale was a lovely, cuddly, fun loving air headed 13 year old boy. Tragically in August 2005 he was taken from us (in this life) when he was involved in a car accident in Italy, where he sustained a fatal head injury. As the news began to filter out to the many back home that Dale could not be revived from his coma and, the only thing that was holding him back from his deepest sleep was a ventilator (I can still hear the machine breathing for him in my head), the most difficult decision any parent will ever have to make was looming like a hurricane. I will never forget how I buckled to me knees and holding onto his warm hand (he always had warm hands) begging him to wake up. We (his mum and I) had to make the nightmare decision to have the machine switched off because Dale was clinically brain dead (how did we do that?) and, that decision was then confirmed by three independent doctors and an Italian judge. August 18th 2005 was the official day his life on this planet ceased and he was on the "Stairway to Heaven" to a better and higher place to watch over us (you cannot allow yourself to believe your child is not out there somewhere).

The virus of grief began to spread from Italy to his family and closest friends in the UK and then the local community. Many people were shocked and dumb struck at what had happened; many people were asking why had this happened to Dale? Well what can be said (on this web site) is that if Dale had been wearing his seatbelt correctly that fatal night, he would still be with us today, enjoying his own unique life, still making his friends laugh and stroking his crazy cat Stefan (named after a Spurs player).

This web site is about raising awareness of wearing a seat belt and I plead to everyone who has taken the trouble to look at this site, to always wear it when ever you get into a vehicle. Dale forgot to wear it correctly because he did not perceive the dangers that exist when you get into a car. Every parent please please ensure that your child or children wear their seat belt and wear it correctly (they are after all your crown jewels and irreplaceable).

Bob

Read about Dale's life - Dale's Ride through Life