Letter: Mom of cycle accident victim supports resolution

TO THE EDITOR: A resolution to recognize May 2010 as motorcycle awareness month in Wisconsin was introduced this month and referred to committee on rules.

Call and write your legislators and ask them to support AJR-121 (Assembly Joint Resolution 121), the Motorcycle Awareness Resolution, when it comes to the floor for a vote.

I have been licensed to drive a motorcycle for around 20 years. I have taken both the beginning rider and advanced rider safety courses.

Motorcycling is something that is honored in the State of Wisconsin as an expression of freedom as well as a way that many people bond with their friends and neighbors.

This time of year, you will once again begin to see motorcycles on the road. I have been an advocate for sharing the road with motorcycles all of my life, even before I was a driver.

In 2004, as many people know, my son who was 14 at the time was riding on the back of a motorcycle. The driver of a truck was not paying attention and ran over the bike, severely damaging both riders. My son was flown to Regions Hospital and remained in a coma for 10 days. We lived at Gillette Children’s Hospital for over a month. He suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury and broke bones throughout his body.

I am grateful every day that my son was able to come out of the coma, regain the use of his body and return to school -- but our lives were affected forever.

This is an accident that could have been avoided by the driver being more aware of motorcycles on the road. Please remember to be aware and to share the road.

Tags: opinion, letters, woodville