Headway Norfolk and Waveney

DAREN'S STORY

Daren was 14 years old, when he was cycling home from school and his bicycle wheel hit the side of the pavement, making him swerve into the path of a car.

Daren sustained a serious brain injury, which has left him disabled for life.

Daren was not wearing a helmet, because he felt they looked daft and messed up his hair.

The following was written by Daren for other young people to read, because he does not want the same thing to happen to them.

This is his story.......

I Thought helmets looked silly
as I rode around town on my bike

I laughed at my daft mate Billy
"you don't know what that thing looks like"

I stayed on the path near the kerb
then I rode off and went in the gutter

Along came a car at a faily fast speed
sent me all the way home in a splutter

My sister was not far away
came running to see - was I dead

She cried when she saw my state
there was blood running out of my head

It was my faul for not going straight
I shouldn't have zigzagged about

My sister she stood by the gate
and was there when she heard me shout

Now I'm stuck for a while in a wheelchair
a sight for people to see

Be warned, wear a helmet, and take care
or you'll finish up looking like me.