Helmet for a Promise™

Wearing helmets while participating in recreational activities has become much more popular (and much more required) since I was growing up. I never owned or wore a helmet when I was on a bike or skateboard as a kid. I was also lucky, as all of my bangs, scrapes and scars were fairly minor and didn’t leave any lasting damage.

Today there is more awareness of traumatic brain injury and the damage that can happen to the brain when helmets are not worn for activities such as bike riding and skateboarding. While I am not a proponent of wrapping kids in bubble wrap every time they go outside to do something active, I do believe in taking simple precautions that could protect them from serious preventable injury. I would argue that a broken bone is in a very different category than a head injury.

The Ian Tillman Foundation was created to honor and memoralize a young man who lived life fully, including his service as a member of the US Marine Corps, and then sucumbed to a traumatic brain injury he received when he fell off his skateboard. In Ian’s honor this Foundation provides FREE helmets to those who need them (and who promise to use them). This program is based in Florida but provides helmets nationwide.

To find out more about this program click HERE.