Saturday, January 20, 2007
Near miss
We had a very tense Saturday morning; it began pleasant enough, with some relaxation and a late breakfast. Then as usual it was off to Abby's Gymnastics class at 10. Nik stayed behind to get some studying done and Abby and I took off to the Gym. It was a good class I sat and watched and chatted about iPods and Apple computers to one of the other fathers while I daughters balanced and tumbled, flipped and swung. With 15 minutes left they were up on the trampoline. The final thing they usually do on the trampoline (which is about 4-5 feet off the ground) is put all the kids on it - 8 in total - and the teacher bounces them all together. They call it popcorn. This usually provides giddy laughter and cheers from the kids and then it is off home. Today however the laughter and cheers was brought to a climactic end with a shrill scream followed closely by more screams and crying. I didn't realize how keen my sense of hearing was but I knew right away that these screams and cries were coming form Abby. And, as I looked over to the trampoline, my hunch was right as I saw 7 kids on the trampoline and Abby's ponytail on the ground, along with the rest of her. On the final bounce of the popcorn melee she was flung 4-5 feet to the floor. Now a fall like that isn't really that bad for a little kid if the mats are all in place and there is a flat spot to hit, Abby wasn't that lucky. Her fall was broken by a small bar (picture the parallel bars at the Olympic) that is supported about 12 inches off the floor. Her leg just below the knees struck the bar and turned on the scream machine. Once I got to where she was, her instructor was already trying to assess her injury and console her. Between the two of us we determined that both her knee and ankle did not sustain any real damage though we were still concerned that she may have broken her leg. The Gymnastics coaching crew was very helpful and called what I thought was the University first aid team and I called Nik to come over as I wasn't sure if we would have to go to the hospital and have it checked out. The next thing I know the police are there and Abby is totally freaked out by this. I don't know if she thought falling was a crime or what but she would not talk to the officer who was there just ahead of the ambulance. Picture, if you will, Nicole hurrying over to the Gym on foot and seeing a police car and Ambulance turning into the Gym parking lot with their lights and sirens going. Needless to day my calm on the phone had lost all of its effect as Nik ran in to see just how bad Abby's injuries were. Once the Paramedic had brought Abby's tension to a manageable level and Nik was able to hold Abby, she relaxed enough for us to get her on her feet and realize that she did not have anything broken and could return home. Not before we were able to have a look in the Ambulance and demystify the medical professional for Abby. Now several hours later the red mark on her leg is still there and I am sure it will turn to a fabulous bruise but all is well and the pain is gone. by Chad
Comments:
<< Home
Scary stuff. I am so glad that she is ok and has no serious injuries. I'll never forget the time Scott was playing football in Pincher Creek and they phoned us to say he had been hurt and possibly had a broken neck. We couldn't go anywhere because they were ambulancing him to Lethbridge and if it was broken, then they would fly him to Calgary, so we simply had to wait as we had no idea where he was going to end up. It was the WORST few hours of my life. Thank Goodness it was just a bad strain and they were bringing him home to Cranbrook. Kids....it never ends.
Post a Comment
<< Home
