I apologize for the guaranteed tearjerker this will prove to be. BUT it is so important to read.
On May 30, 1998, I brought my son, Harrison, age 2, and my three nieces to Harrison’s favorite park in Washington, Missouri. Harrison loved watching boats on the Missouri River. We were sitting on a park bench watching the boats when I heard a loud crash behind us. I turned, screamed for my nieces to run, and lunged for Harrison. There was not enough time. The van grazed two of my nieces, but hit Harrison and myself head on. As my arms stretched out to grab Harrison, I saw only the grill of the van.
I lost consciousness as the van drug me down a rock embankment. The van stopped when it struck a boat, preventing the van from plunging into the swift Missouri River. Moments later, surrounded by blood, I regained consciousness and saw my leg tangled in the tire.
People frantically ran to help me. I prayed that somehow Harrison and my nieces escaped injury. I asked about Harrison, but was only told he was being taken care of. I knew I had to remain calm. From beneath the van, I began counting the number of ambulances. When I heard the helicopter, I knew the situation was critical. I was extremely cold from the loss of blood and had difficulty breathing.
The firemen hurriedly thought of ways to free my leg from the van’s tire and decided to use airbags to raise the van. It was a horrifying experience, but the worst pain was not knowing about the fate of my son. I repeatedly asked about Harrison, but received only vague answers. After forty-five minutes they finally freed my leg and transported me by helicopter to a hospital in St. Louis. I was told Harrison was transported to the local hospital in Washington. I still had hope.
Upon arriving at the hospital, I continuously asked about Harrison. A chaplain finally told me he was flown to Cardinal Glennon, a Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, and that my husband was on his way to be with him. I finally let go and cried. I knew in my heart that if Harrison was flown to Cardinal Glennon that his life was in danger.
I kept fading in and out, asking over and over about Harrison, reliving the nightmarish horror. I had lost a lot of blood from the multiple cuts, severe burns seared my crushed leg, my arm was broken in several places and I had a tire mark across my face. My doctor later told me that I looked like Humpty Dumpty and he did not know where to start to put me back together again.
After surgery I asked my husband about Harrison. He cried. He could not utter the words that Harrison had died. He just kept shaking his head ‘no’. My mother had to tell me that my son had died.
Two days later, I begged the doctors to let me go to Harrison’s funeral, but it was impossible. I wanted to tell him how sorry I was for not protecting him from that van and that I loved him. As a mother, I always tried to protect my son from dangerous situations. Being hit by a van in the middle of a park never entered my mind.
Slowly, shocking details about the driver of the van, that killed my son, unfolded. Two children (ages 2 and 3) were left unattended inside a van with the motor running while their parents stood behind the van talking to relatives. One of the children, playing behind the wheel, shifted the van into gear. The idle on the van, set higher than normal, caused the van to jump a curb stop and race through the park injuring myself and my two nieces and killing my son.
I was initially in the hospital for three and half weeks. I have since undergone 35surgeries. Now, over 13 years later, more surgery will be necessary. My physical loss is irreparable, but fails in comparison to the loss of Harrison.
Since our tragedy, we have established a national nonprofit organization, Harrison's Hope, dedicated to eliminating injuries and death to children left alone in or around motor vehicles. Harrison's Hope maintains a national database tracking the number of children left alone inside motor vehicles.
One of Harrison's Hope objectives is to raise public awareness on the dangers of leaving children unattended inside motor vehicles. We want to protect children because they cannot protect themselves.
Parents and caregivers need to be educated on the dangers of leaving children unattended inside motor vehicles. A child should never be put in the dangerous situation of being left alone inside a vehicle. Even if a car engine is off or the child is properly restrained it is still unsafe to leave children unattended in motor vehicles. Children are not only in danger of engaging the vehicle, but subject to abduction, carjacking, hypothermia, and heat exhaustion, just to name a few of the tragedies that have occurred. A car is not child proof. A car is not a toy. A car is not a playground. A car is not a babysitter!
Most people would not think twice to call the police if they suspect a drunk driver. By Increasing awareness and education on the issue, people will understand that leaving children in or around vehicles is just as dangerous as a drunk driver on the road.
Parents and caregivers leave children unattended for various reasons…to save time, to run quick errands but always for their convenience. After all, ‘they will be only gone for a minute.’ It only took a moment for Harrison’s life to end. Society underestimates how deadly a minute can be. While most parents and caregivers are cautious not to leave valuables such as a cell phone or handbag in a vehicle, they often risk the safety of children.
Please join Harrison's Hope by protecting innocent children who are needlessly being endangered. Our theme of “Zero Seconds” needs to be communicated to everyone who really believes that nothing tragic will happen when children are left unattended in or around vehicles. Everyone needs to understand just how deadly one minute can be.
Safety Tips Provided By Harrison's Hope
Children should never be left alone in a vehicle, not even to run a quick errand. Harrison's Hope offers parents the following tips to help keep their children safe.
- Plan ahead to use drive-through services where available such as pharmacies and banks. More and more services are adding drive-through convenience, including dry cleaners, restaurants (beyond fast food), libraries, grocery stores, and even dog grooming. A quick search on the Internet will help you find convenient drive-through services in your area.
- Call dry cleaners and other businesses to schedule pick-up and drop-off services at your vehicle. Most businesses will bring service curbside if you call ahead.
- Make advance arrangements for your child-care provider to meet you at your vehicle. Alternatively, plan extra time into your pick-up/drop-off routine to bring all children inside with you.
- Use your debit or credit card at the gas pump.
- Ask grocery store clerks to load your bags into your vehicle and return the grocery cart.
- If possible, leave your children with a responsible adult. Arrange a baby-sitting co-op with your neighbor to give you an hour to run errands.
Accidents can happen right in your own garage or driveway. Harrison's Hope offers parents the following tips to help prevent accidents in or around vehicles.
- Keep vehicles locked at all times -- even in the garage or driveway.
- Never leave keys within the reach of children.
- Teach children to never play in or around vehicles.
- Consider installing cross-view mirrors and/or a backup detection device on your vehicle.
- Make sure all young passengers have left your car after it is parked.
- When a child is missing, check vehicles and trunks immediately.
- If a child is locked inside a vehicle, get them out as quickly as possible. If they are hot or appear sick, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Please visit our website www.harrisonshope.org to learn more about our life saving mission.
Together, we will make a difference and save lives.
