Sounds of Silence
May 30th, 2012
I cannot help but have to write about the three young girls
here in The Estates that have either lost their lives or have been
touched with big hopes of a full recovery.
Sadly, is the late Daileen Alfonso. The Palmetto Ridge High School student that lost her life in a car accident in East Naples yesterday. She was only 16. Then earlier this week was 11-year-old Karla
Marie Ortiz, who was killed from an accident on her ATV off of Dove Tree Street in the Estates. Lastly, is 11 year old Yolisha Donassien, who continues to battle for a normal life after she was hit by a car this past April here in the Estates on a road near her home. Her real condition is unknown.
Three very different sounds of silence no parent can ever imagine. And my condolences goes out to each and every one of them.
But what does this all tell me? It tells me that these three accidents may have been prevented. Others may not see eye to eye with me on that but that's very much to be understood. The loss of any life is a very deep and painful time.
What I am seeing is our young losing their sight on safety. The feeling of being indestructible. Again, I may be very wrong with that judgement in any three of these cases, but it truly is how I am reading it.
Daileen ran a red light and at this moment, no one knows why. Many things could have happened, and we may never know. But I will say one thing, 16 is too young to drive. My 15 year old has asked for the drivers-ed book to get his learners permit and that book continues to collect dust as we speak. And I don't care. He's still too young.
Then young Karla, not wearing a helmet as she was thrown off her ATV. A very sad and surreal time for everyone to take a moment and understand the consequences of not wearing a helmet. I have dirt-bikes and I too have caught my kids trying to escape the helmet. But they know better.
Lastly is Yolisha, an honor student in the 6th grade at Cypress Palm Middle and also a friend of my son. She remains in a hospital to this day, many weeks later, condition really unknown. I have been in contact with her Aunt Rose but it doesn't sound good. Yolisha has opened her eyes, that's the most we have gotten.
Yolisha was riding her bike when she was struck by a car her neighbor was driving. According to the kids in the neighborhood, she may have been playing with her I-touch as she rode across the road. (All speculation)
Our kids are growing up too fast and we are allowing it all to happen right under our nose. Am I the only one who is noticing here? Am I the only parent in the world that still does not text? Does not have a smart-phone? And does not allow their kids one either? Am I too old fashioned?
You want to know why I am this way? Because we don't need it. As much as others may think we do, we don't. It works for us. We don't care once we walk out of this house that technology stays behind. We have lived without it this long. Why start now?
So to all parents. Take a good strong moment and reflect on your family. Could you do a little better?
I know I can.
Sadly, is the late Daileen Alfonso. The Palmetto Ridge High School student that lost her life in a car accident in East Naples yesterday. She was only 16. Then earlier this week was 11-year-old Karla
Marie Ortiz, who was killed from an accident on her ATV off of Dove Tree Street in the Estates. Lastly, is 11 year old Yolisha Donassien, who continues to battle for a normal life after she was hit by a car this past April here in the Estates on a road near her home. Her real condition is unknown.
Three very different sounds of silence no parent can ever imagine. And my condolences goes out to each and every one of them.
But what does this all tell me? It tells me that these three accidents may have been prevented. Others may not see eye to eye with me on that but that's very much to be understood. The loss of any life is a very deep and painful time.
What I am seeing is our young losing their sight on safety. The feeling of being indestructible. Again, I may be very wrong with that judgement in any three of these cases, but it truly is how I am reading it.
Daileen ran a red light and at this moment, no one knows why. Many things could have happened, and we may never know. But I will say one thing, 16 is too young to drive. My 15 year old has asked for the drivers-ed book to get his learners permit and that book continues to collect dust as we speak. And I don't care. He's still too young.
Then young Karla, not wearing a helmet as she was thrown off her ATV. A very sad and surreal time for everyone to take a moment and understand the consequences of not wearing a helmet. I have dirt-bikes and I too have caught my kids trying to escape the helmet. But they know better.
Lastly is Yolisha, an honor student in the 6th grade at Cypress Palm Middle and also a friend of my son. She remains in a hospital to this day, many weeks later, condition really unknown. I have been in contact with her Aunt Rose but it doesn't sound good. Yolisha has opened her eyes, that's the most we have gotten.
Yolisha was riding her bike when she was struck by a car her neighbor was driving. According to the kids in the neighborhood, she may have been playing with her I-touch as she rode across the road. (All speculation)
Our kids are growing up too fast and we are allowing it all to happen right under our nose. Am I the only one who is noticing here? Am I the only parent in the world that still does not text? Does not have a smart-phone? And does not allow their kids one either? Am I too old fashioned?
You want to know why I am this way? Because we don't need it. As much as others may think we do, we don't. It works for us. We don't care once we walk out of this house that technology stays behind. We have lived without it this long. Why start now?
So to all parents. Take a good strong moment and reflect on your family. Could you do a little better?
I know I can.
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