Accident

Thursday morning Kate and I were driving to her last day of pre-school before the Christmas break.  She was fastened in her car seat in her adorable snowman smocked dress and she was holding Christmas cards for her teachers in her little hands.  She was so proud that she could read my cursive and knew which card was for which teacher.  She could not wait to give them their cards.

We were happily singing "The first Noel" in the car and Kate was asking me if we could have a special afternoon and go to the nail salon and get our nails painted (she has only ever been once).  Out of the corner, of my eye I saw that a driver to the right of me was not slowing down for her stop sign.  My mind said...She is going to hit us!  I knew there were cars behind us so I could not slam on my brakes.  I also knew it was actually too late to stop.  So I kept going thinking she would end up stopping at the sign.  

I often think people are not going to stop (just ask Dave) but most of the time they do:)  She did not.  She did not even slow down.  She slammed right into the passenger side of my car (where Kate was sitting in the back).  The impact propelled us into the on-coming lane of traffic and I saw all these cars headed straight for us.  I panicked.  I asked Kate if she was okay but I could not bring myself to look.  I was too afraid of what I might see. I knew the car hit us right where she sits.   She answered me half crying that her neck hurt (from where the restraints pulled).  I could not get to her because the doors of the mini van wold not open.  I was hysterical...shaking crying, yelling at the woman who ran the stop sign (who incidentally tried to blame ME somehow).  Thankfully, the man in the first car in the on-coming lane of traffic stopped and stopped the traffic behind him.  He jumped out to help.  He said he was a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.  He called 911 and he and a sweet kind woman who ran out from the local gym (she worked in childcare there) pulled Kate out for me.  She was shaken and had a burn mark/bruise from where the restraints held her in but other than that she was okay!   A few minutes later a man in the neighborhood approached me and Kate and asked if we need a ride to our Christmas pageant.  Kate was all dressed up and he assumed we were on our way to a pre-school show.  I cannot even tell you how kind these stranger were to me.  I was truly out of my mind.  I must have been in shock because I was not really thinking or processing anything.  I cannot remember the name of the doctor who helped us and I really want to thank him.  I did track down the woman and we plan to bring her a thank you card and small gift on Monday.

Amazingly Kate and I are okay.  The car is BAD.  It might be totaled.  I am very sore but we are alive.

In fact, as soon as we got out, we sat on the side walk (kate and I) held hands and prayed to God in thanksgiving for our safety.  If one thing had been different such as if there had been a car in the on-coming lane next to me or if the first on-coming car had not stopped...we might not be here. Similarly if I slammed on my brakes the officer said she would have had direct impact with Kate and that would have been so much worse. Since I kept going, her car hit my whole passenger side from front to back rather than just one point.

The biggest thing I am thankful for though is Kate's 5 point harness car seat.  You see, Kate had been BEGGING me for a booster seat.  Several of her friends sit in them and she REALLY wanted one.  She weighs enough but it not quite tall enough.  I was hesitating but considering getting her one soon.  Well, let me tell you.... from what the police officer told me and from what I have read.... Kate might have been killed if she had been in a booster seat. Often the seat belts will actually cause crticial injuries to children in booster seats. Her car seat actually moved a lot (the part that was strapped by the car restraint).  It is the 5 point harness that kept her in place.  I know a lot of Moms read this site and I am PLEADING with you to read this information and watch this video (links below) and make sure your child is in  the proper car seat.  Kate will NOT be in a booster for a very long time.  In fact, all research shows that if you purchase the proper car seats, they should be in a 5 point harness for as long as possible.  And there are now car seats that will hold up to 85 pounds in a 5 point harness system.

After Kate heard the officer and the doctor say how that car seat saved her life...she told me that she does not want a booster seat anymore:)  She is so wise.

Please read this site for general information on car seats and saving lives.  And for specific information on how and why the 5 point harness system is the safest READ HERE.

Finally, if you watch this crash test video (it is a few seconds long) you will see quite clearly how much better the 5 point harness protects.

A special thanks to one of my friends for alerting me to these sites:)

Thank you God for keeping me and my little pudding safe.