Yesterday another famous person died skiing with out a helmet.  Natasha Richardson was the most recent "celebrity" to pass away tragically, and maybe needlessly, by choosing to not protect her head.  Sonny Bono and a Kennedy Clan member were two others famous names over the past few years to pass away helmet-less.

I'm going to get on my soap box now, so people, be prepared.

Celebrities are not the only ones to not wear helmets.  As frequent readers know, skiing is my winter passion and I spend a tremendous amount of my free time on the slopes.  I continue to be SHOCKED by the number of people, probably very intelligent folks, who choose to wear a beanie or fuzzy head band in lieu of a brain bucket, which is PROVEN to offer significant protection of death, or a serious brain injury.   

What are people thinking?  I hear a million excuses.  People perceive that they loose visibility wearing a helmet.  They think they won't be able to hear as well.  Even though people won't admit it, they think they don't look as "cool" in a helmet.  What is up with the parents who ski with their kids, who are wearing helmets, and they are not?  What kind of example is that?  Do as I say, not as I do???

For all these and other "excuses" I say GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!  PUH-LEASE!!!!   None of these excuses are even close to true.  

Now, have you ever spent a few hours with someone who has a cognitive brain injury?  Here's an idea of what you might expect if, maybe worse than dying, you survive a bump on the head with a brain injury.  

First, you may have trouble walking because your balance is off.  You might not be able to work more than a few hours a day due to blurry visions, headache or just not being able to function like you used to....you may have to quit your high paying job and join a company that provides employment opportunities to the disabled assembling gift baskets for the welcome wagon folks.  You may have paralysis on part of your body.  You may spend your day eating jello through a straw....and, here's the kicker, you absolutely know with out a doubt that this level of functioning isn't how you used to be.  Nope, not even close.  How do you think you'll manage that level of frustration????  Hmmm.  

So, WAKE UP PEOPLE!  Get a helmet before you step foot on the slopes.  If you can afford to ski you can afford a helmet.  While there are some pricey ones out there, you can get hooked up for well under $!00, especially this time of year.  

Check out my last few posts and see how totally gorgeous, hot and sexy I look in my helmet.  And, SMART.   

Ok, I better log off now, I'm all fired up and I don't want to start blogging about how !*#^% angry I am about the AIG bonus....