My friend L returned to visit Amsterdam recently and had arranged to meet a few old friends in a local haunt. We both got there earlier than the others and my friend announced she was glad we did as she had something she wanted to tell me... my stomach lurched. My honest first thought was L is sick. That's what usually follows those statements in my life. Thankfully she wasn't & isn't but she did have equally upsetting news...someone I knew had died earlier that year. My stomach wretched and my appetite went right out the door. I was still dealing with the loss of Eugene and now another fantastic young people was taken from this world.
Back in March 2006 when L was living in Amsterdam she introduced me to the enigmatic James, a good friend of hers visiting from Boston. James was a wonderfully fun, beautiful, easy going person. We clicked, we hung out and partied like it was going out of fashion.
Hearing how his life was cut short through a simple stupid accident was heartbreaking. James hit his head after a night out with friends in Boston and while paramedics were called his concussion was not dealt with. The following day he was admitted to hospital and remained in a coma until his family were forced to take the unbearably difficult decision to switch off life support. I have lost people in my life but I have no reference point for how difficult a decision that must have been.
Brain injury is something that is not taken nearly as seriously as it should be. Please take care of all those you love and take nothing for granted...even the smallest bump on the head.
