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Yep - that's right. My 80 year old grandmother, July 4 @ approximately 5 PM, backing out of her long driveway at somewhere between 12-15 mph, used ME as a speed bump.
If she hadn't of used me, my niece would have been permanently embedded in the barb wired fence. My nephew was on the other side of me and my son was directly in front of me. We were two feet off the driveway mooing at the cows.
I hold no grudges, mind - despite being unable to walk more than two blocks without wanting to die, but I REALLY resent the fact that my mother and uncle won't take away the keys!!!!!
On the lighter side of things, my co-workers have re-written the song "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" to now sing "Shannon got run over by her grandma" - ahhh - thank heavens for humor. It lightens the deepest despair.
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Have you seen a doctor? At times like these I think they should have the elderly take driving tests past age 65. I always realize the hopelessness of the thought though.
I really do hope you're okay Shan, and go see a doctor if you haven't already ok?
[ July 10, 2003, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: Nick ]
Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Nothing broken, Belle - just a very wrenched, sore, sprained back from the tippy top of my head down my lower back. I was extremely lucky. Been doing the massage (not the fun, relaxing type but the deep tissue type) and chiropractic plus homeopathic remedies for the swelling and pain. Been able to work part days, but walking and driving hurt when it goes on for very long. Typing finally doesn't hurt so bad, therefore I thought I would visit with you all for a bit before I tuck myself into bed.
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Hi Nick - I did the 3 hours on a backboard and neck brace, flashing light ride to the hospital, emergency room for 7 hours thing so the doctor could tell me nothing was broken or bleeding internally. I swear the backboard and neck brace do more damage than the actual injuries -
thanks for the concern - I really am starting to feel better - sore and all - but much more functionable -
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote: thanks for the concern - I really am starting to feel better - sore and all - but much more functionable -
Glad to hear it.
I hear you about the neckbraces and such. They seem to do more harm than good. But you know what they say, no pain, no game. Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Well, you know, Nick - if I couldn't find some humor in it somewhere I'd be lost in a morass of fear over what could have happened to the children half my size standing next to me, extreme anger at my mother and uncle for refusing to handle the situation, and focused on the pain traveleing back and forth along my spine and head.
So, I am glad that we can both gasp and laugh at it - if that makes sense in a bizarre sort of way?
I know that I'll heal up - mostly I just shudder at the thought of what could have happened to all of my granma's great-grandchildren that were right there -
It's a safe bet Nathan and I won't be visiting anytime again soon!
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Well, you could always sue her. That'd probably tap her bank account enough that she couldn't afford to drive. Posts: 1855 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Was there not a police report? (How old are you? Just wondering before I make any suggestions. )
Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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You've broken the cardinal rule of Medical Issues on Bulletin Boards!
The proper steps: 1) Type "help, I've just been run over by my grandma, what do I do?" 2) Wait for people to tell you to get to the hospital 3) Take pictures 4) Post pictures 5) Go to the hospital 6) Post pictures
Posts: 1839 | Registered: May 1999
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What kind of car was it, and what parts of your body did it run over?
I'd say I'm sorry it happened, but if you're truly unharmed, this is a great story to tell at parties.
Posts: 3293 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Also, you could tell her doctor(s). If her doctor talls to her, he may get her to give up driving. Or, if the doctor thinks he should, he could write to the state DMV about your Grammy.
Too bad about your injuries. I hope you get better quick. Morbo Posts: 6316 | Registered: Jun 2003
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My grandmother still thinks she can drive, despite being 89 and having broken her hip and a slew of other health problems that would make her a menace on the road. My mother and I would never, ever let her drive, but I can understand how hard that kind of situation is. Giving up driving means giving up a lot of independence and it's hard for people to force their elderly parents to surrender their independence, even if it is for the best.
On a lighter note, allow me to relate a conversation I had with my Aunt Jean last month:
Aunt Jean: Oh, guess what? Tom ran over Carla with his truck last week. Kira: Oh my gosh! Aunt Jean: Just her leg. Kira: Oh. That's good. [said without sarcasm]
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Shannon got run over by her grandma, going somewhere Independence Day; she was teasing cows for no good reason, and must have somehow got in grandma's way...
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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Tom! Awesome! I KNEW someone would be able to finish up the verse -
Let's see - to the many comments/questions and gigglers . . . .
1) Age: mid-30's 2) Sneak report to DMV - ahhhhh, now there's a thought! 3) Small town politics = no police report, and no insurance info being taken - although there were (and I quote) six paramedics, two police and four fire fighters that showed up to the call, if that tells you ANYTHING about the lack of fun stuff to do where my grandmother lives . . . 4) G-ma wants to pay out of pocket and believe me - if you think small town politics can get complicated, my family's politics are worse *shudder* 5) Yes - this will be an absolutely awesome party story - in about another month when I stop aching. 6) She clipped my right side hard enough to send me twisting and turning through the air to land behind her - luckily enough on soft dirt and very uncomfortable poky bramble like plants - I guess we'll ust call me Brer Shan
I think I got all the questions - and now I will hobble off to work. Y'all have a good day, hear?
[Edited to add: I know, I know! No pictures really sucks - but just imagine wide open eyes and an approaching white van with glaring red tail lights AFTER being knoced askew and behind, and you'll get the idea!]
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Shannon stood in front of her niece, with two more kids over there, and now Grandma sits and ponders how exactly she's supposed to make that spare.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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Shan! Oh my gosh! That's just horrible! I'm so glad nothing was broken. And I'm so glad none of the kids were hit!
*gently hugs Shan and the kids*
Wow. I hope that someone can somehow convince Grammy to stop driving soon. I know it's hard, but it's not the end of the world. Does she have any somewhat younger friends that can help out with driving her around? My great-grandma lived in an apartment building with a lot of other older folks, and the ones who could drive safely always helped out with those who shouldn't be driving. But, you said small town, so there might not be a place like that, or she might not have too many friends around who can drive safely - I don't know. But maybe your family (or her doctor - that's a good idea) can convice her that she's putting herself in danger as well as other people.
But I'm so glad that you're keeping a sense of humor about the whole thing. You're great! Posts: 2661 | Registered: Apr 2002
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On the flip side, if you succeed in getting Grandma to give up her drivers license, somebody will need to driver her to all those places she needs to go to.
A granddaughter with nothing better to do than stand around in driveways mooing at cows is very likely to get elected to that job.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Thanks for the gentle hug, Vana - soft and gentle is the operative word - I forgot how sore muscles could be . . . Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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No doubt she was trying to escape the hordes that thronged around her - let's see . . .
6 great-grandchildren, three grandkids and their assorted spouses, one daughter, said daughter's ex-husband and wife, and four dogs -
She was off to her son's home to help keep an eye on the stabled horses during the 4th of July festivities - actually, my mom and I were going to go over in a little bit and move irrigation lines and muck stables/feed equine - hmmm - got out of that chore -
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote: DEAR ABBY: Please tell "Wants What's Best" to do what she needs to do for her mother. Get the assistance she needs and ignore the "well-meaning people." But first of all, take her car keys away from her. If she gets lost and doesn't remember what she's doing in the car, she can no longer drive safely on the roads.
My 18-year-old daughter, Lynae, was killed by a woman with dementia almost five years ago, because no one wanted to interfere with her driving privileges. Lynae was two days away from starting college. She had her whole life ahead of her. But because no one had the guts to take a firm stand, my daughter never had a chance.
Abby, please urge family members to do the "right" thing when they realize that elderly members of their families need help. -- MOTHER OF AN ANGEL IN MINNESOTA
[edit: don't you hate it when you hit the wrong button!]
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Well, here's the good news. Grammy is going to report the accident to the insurance company. With any luck they'll yank her insurance and blackball her.
Here's the bad news - WHY is she reporting to the insurance company? I have now been back in ER and hospital twice for dizziness, nausea, and as I tense up trying to keep my balance, of course my bruised and sore neck and back muscles start searing me with excruciating pain. Grammy prefers not to pay out of pocket all of those bills - can you blame her?
I can , with great effort, walk a semi-straight line and typing is an experience, let me tell you. So now I am not working for at least the next week, taking a variety of meds and doing a variety of slow and careful exercises in the hopes of improving my balance again. Today is actually better. Saturday through Tuesday SUCKED.
I am attempting to convince myself that despite the discomfort, this is a lovely time of the year to be stuck at home. And I mean STUCK. I can't drive right now and the nearest busstop is too far in my present state.
*Would shake head in mock despair, but sadly that increases the dizziness*
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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I'm sorry that you're having problems with dizziness. That's no good.
So why is Granny smart enough to report it to the insurance (and get out of paying some bills) but not smart enough to give up driving? I really think that this should be enough to convince her (your mother and uncle and Granny's doctor) that it's not safe for her to drive. Have you been brazen enough to tell her that this is a sign that she needs to reliquish her driving privaleges?
Posts: 5879 | Registered: Apr 2001
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Well, Ludosti, according to my sister, there was a big screaming row after the ambulance hauled me away which resulted in grandmother locking herself in the bathroom, crying and vomiting, as my mother called her numerous bad names and said that she was no longer allowed to drive. This approach accomplished nothing, as Grammy is still driving to the best of my knowledge.
Thanks for the hugs, saxon75. I need them.
Belle, I don't know how much more anyone can actually do. I have had complete CTs and x-rays from top to bottom, twice now. No internal bleeding, nothing broken. Unless it is a tiny earbone floating around in the inner ear creating havoc, or possibly some nerve damage at the base of my skull, neither of which can be pinpointed according to the doctors. It sounds at this point, the best I can do is take it easy and work with my body on healing.
{Begin whine: What really sucks is that although I was the one that got hit, my family are treating me like I'm the bad guy here. I.e., I had to drive myself and my son home the day after this happened, no phone calls checking in, not even so much as a "I'm sorry this happened" card or what can we do to help out. Thank God for the folks at work and my ex-husband's family, and my friends nearby. And THANK YOU, jatraquero's for allowing me a place and space to process this. I suppose I should be used to this sort of treatment from the family I was graced with and just shrug it off, but every time something like this happens, it still hurts. End Whine}
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Glad to hear you are ok Shan! Wow, I hope you are able to talk your grandmother out of driving soon.
quote:SANTA MONICA, Calif. - A 7 1/2-month-old boy on Thursday became the 10th victim to die after an 86-year-old man smashed through a farmers market the previous afternoon, striking more than 50 people. >>>Full story here.
This happened in my hometown yesterday. Several of my friends were at this farmer's market, but thankfully avoided the disaster. pictures from a buddy who was there.
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That really is awful that your family is not being more supportive of you. Shame on them. (((Shan)))
I'm sorry to hear that all the screaming and crying did not seem to have a lasting effect. I know when it was time for my grandpa to stop driving, it took him being told by his doctor. Is there any way you can contact her doctor and tell him/her about the situation so that they can recommend to her that she stop driving? Perhaps the insuranc company will do something, but if they don't maybe you could try going through her doctor...
Posts: 5879 | Registered: Apr 2001
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*sings* Grandma ran me over with her Caddy...
All humor aside, that really, really stinks. She should be MADE to get off the road. Keys taken away, liscence, whatever it takes. She's a danger to everyone.
Oh, and....Hope you feel better soon!
Posts: 3658 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Not covered by medicare, unfortunately. I've referred two people for a similar program in Indiana and both times the family decided to let them continue driving rather than pay out of pocket even for just the assessment. I know several other families where the children simply took the car keys and refused to give them back, ever. I know that is often a very hard thing to do to a parent/grandparent without any medical backup in agreement with the decision.
Posts: 1990 | Registered: Feb 2001
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Family is "family". In the face of trauma, people often don't know how to react. It exceeds the boundaries of the emotional scripts they have. This is not a reason to blame, or sue, or chastise.
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