Went to see my lad in the hospital today . There was a very nice gentleman wearing a Bulls shirt at the bed next to Carl's bed . We had a bit of a chat , but I didn't get his name . He reads these boards , and he wished me and mine well .
Just a note to say thanks for the good wishes , it was a pleasure meeting you , and I hope your little girl is well soon .


Oh ! And a warning that the bloke who is staying overnight with the kid in the bed opposite you snores like a chainsaw

Rick

Hope your lad is OK mate?

He's doing ok thanks . He was allowed out of bed to try using crutches today . Lets say he wasn't very good on them . They gonna have a re-think in the morning as to how he will be getting around after his release (possibly Wednesday) . We are all so worried about him , but all he complains about is that he is shy about using the cardboard urinal jobbys that are provided for patients that can't get out of bed . It must have been such a relief for him when I arrived to see him today and I carried him to the toilets . He let go about three gallons lol .
I went to see the lady that ran over him today . Just to let her know he is gonna be ok . Very nice lady with four young kids of her own . She wasn't too sure of what my intentions were when I told her I am Carl's dad (apparently I look like I could be a bit of a hooligan). She told me she ain't slept since the accident , but will sleep well tonight knowing he will be ok , and that his family bear her no malice . How could we ? She wasn't at fault . Poor lass . She must have been going through hell since Friday afternoon .
I was concerned about the little lass .. She had tripped up and landed on her face . Poor little mite was only about 18 months to two years old . The heartache her parents must be feeling while they hold her in their arms as she is crying has to be exerienced to be understood . Best of luck to them , and hope all turns out well for them .

@ bobsmyuncle .. You got it absolutely spot on .
It puts into perspective all the petty bickering that goes on around these boards . eg...
Ohh look at me . I said something smartass that makes me look better than you .
Ohh look at me . I am really happy that so-and-so got his jaw broken .
OOOOH . The rugby gods have spoken .

At the end of the day these people that ( sometimes literally ) put their lives on the line in their endeavours to entertain us are somebodys sons .

Firstly, I'm glad your boy is going to be okay! As a father of two young girls the only thing I really worry about is keeping them safe, and I'm sure you were worried sick!

This thread has veered into a pet topic of mine namely player safety! I cringe when I hear commentators use terms like 'collision' and often with relish as if it's something to be proud of? Rugby league has become a very dangerous sport with multiple injuries per game often serious with squads not big enough to cope and players playing injured!

We need to think long and hard about where the sport goes really and we could be at a crossroads a la American Football per helmets.

I'd be interested on everyone's thoughts or is just me?

JUst you, no offence but it wouldnt be rugby league with big helmets on? The sport is good enough as it is

I know where you're coming from but I doubt that things will change.

It's a game played by (mostly)young men in a testosterone fuelled atmosphere; it is, in the forwards particularly, a game where showing who is the 'hardest' is important to the players, and it is the players themselves who make it like that, and let's be honest, enjoy it like that.

It IS different for parents, I agree. We're back to the old parental thinking where it was alright for me to do that when I was a kid - but you're frightened to death when you see your son doing it. This is the same whether your kid is climbing a tree or cliff or playing a physical collision sport like RL. What I'm not so sure about is how you take the danger out without totally changing the game, to be honest. Truth is I don't really think you can.

Glad to here she is doing ok matey . Terrible experience to have your child in a place like that ain't it , and such a relief when you know they are gonna be ok . Carl went for a new pot on again yesterday . They have to change the pot so they can change the dressings on the open wounds inside it . He is getting rather good at hopping , and they say he may have his pot off for good in three weeks . He will still need to use a chair to join us on the www.charitygiving.co.uk/james2odsal walk as we go through Leeds though. Ooooops . Another shameless plug Best of luck to you and yours Darren , and it was nice meeting you . Rick

Glad to here she is doing ok matey . Terrible experience to have your child in a place like that ain't it , and such a relief when you know they are gonna be ok . Carl went for a new pot on again yesterday . They have to change the pot so they can change the dressings on the open wounds inside it . He is getting rather good at hopping , and they say he may have his pot off for good in three weeks . He will still need to use a chair to join us on the www.charitygiving.co.uk/james2odsal walk as we go through Leeds though. Ooooops . Another shameless plug Best of luck to you and yours Darren , and it was nice meeting you . Rick

As the mother of three Rugby playing lads (now all too old to play) who has spent many hundreds of hours cringeing on the touchline watching them get smashed - and many hours in A&E watching them get patched up - it is always really, really difficult. But I always consoled myself with one thought; when they went out at night into town I never had to worry that they'd get beaten up or start fights or get picked on - and I know the stats show 16-25 year old boys are in the greatest peril in town centres at night. My chaps got all their aggression out on the field and just had a quietly confident air about them when they were out that meant they never got targeted. Contact sports are gruelling for parents to watch - but not as lethal as motorbikes!