DRIVER DO’S AND DON’TS AFTER PEDESTRIAN HITS Streetwise Safety
STRONG SELVES AND STEADY HEARTS
The spring and summer months should be a time to get out and enjoy the nice weather, not set ourselves up for disaster behind the wheel.
While collisions between vehicles are always a danger this time of year, so are automobile accidents involving pedestrians. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, a traffic accident- related pedestrian fatality occurred every 72 minutes in 2023 alone. While tragedies of this nature are terrible for the victim’s friends and loved ones, they can have a devastating impact on the at-fault driver, legally and emotionally. Here are a few quick do’s and don’ts for how to conduct yourself if you ever hit a pedestrian with your vehicle. PROTECT OTHERS PROMPTLY If you’re uninjured in the accident, the pedestrian’s condition should be your primary concern. After stopping and securing your vehicle, call 911 immediately if the pedestrian is injured, and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. If the pedestrian is conscious, ask them about their condition and relay that information to the dispatcher. If the pedestrian is physically able to exchange information with BIRTH DEFECT DILE There are few greater joys than welcoming a new baby to the world, but few greater challenges than raising a child born with a serious, lifelong health condition. Sadly, birth defects occur with greater frequency than many may realize. According to government statistics, they affect approximately 1 in 33 babies born in the U.S. While some occur due to natural circumstances, many result from easily preventable errors by medical professionals. This article provides a brief overview of one of the most common birth defects in the U.S. and ways families can seek justice for the impact it and other disorders have on their children’s lives. CEREBRAL PALSY MADE CLEAR Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders affecting approximately 1 million Americans of various ages. Typically the result of brain damage at any time during pregnancy or birth (or after), cerebral palsy affects a person’s movement and coordination, often resulting in severely stiff muscles, involuntary movements, and difficulty walking, among other issues. The condition’s severity and bodily impact vary from person to person. Some people with cerebral palsy can live fully productive and independent lives, while others require ongoing physical therapy and/or full-time, lifelong care. The condition could have resulted from medical practices due to untreated infections, head trauma, or oxygen deprivation during delivery.
NEW FRONTIERS FOR LOVE AFTER 50
If you thought asking someone to the school dance when you were growing up was intimidating, you haven’t experienced anything until you’ve tried dating in your 50s! All kidding aside, dating later in life doesn’t need to be frustrating or wreak havoc on your sense of self. Here are three helpful reminders as you navigate new relationships. BELIEVE IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF YOU . Whether you’ve experienced a divorce, the death of your partner, or just haven’t found “the one” yet, entering the dating pool at this age can be daunting. However, you have more working in your favor than against you. After all, you’ve had decades to discover your wants, needs, and goals, as well as what worked and what didn’t in past relationships. This understanding of yourself is invaluable, as it will help you find a partner who aligns with who you are now and where you want to go in life. USE YOUR SCREEN TIME SELECTIVELY. Attempting to find satisfying company on dating apps or social media can often feel like trying to catch the ocean in a cup. Instead of scrolling through a sea of posts, search for online communities that appeal more directly to your specific hobbies and interests. Interacting with others who share your enthusiasm for things that make you happy is a much better gateway to a new bond than hoping for the best through endless swiping. A ‘NO’ MAY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU. Dating is a lot like applying for a new job. You may not land the position despite having an exceptional résumé that earns you several interviews and a strong hunch that things were going well. At the end of the day, the company’s decision to pass may have had more to do with its structure or budget than an issue with your qualifications or capabilities. While being turned down by a prospective partner may be heartbreaking at first, take solace in the fact that it obviously wasn’t meant to be and move forward. And if there was a specific reason the other person decided not to pursue it further, consider it a learning experience to help guide your next connection.
With self-knowledge, selectivity, and a little patience, love in your 50s can be richer than ever!
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