Today the wind is blowing through with great force swirling and clacking the trees together knocking off the signs autumn has left behind. On the fence post in front of me the birds sit and sing a tune of “it’s coming! It’s coming!” Like little flowers girls before the bride they warn of spring’s arrival. I cant help but think that each passing day is an accomplishment in itself to face down and conquer, and though I want to rejoice in the new season each moment is a double edged sword…bringing me further from the last day I saw his face and at the same time closer to the next day I will.

Everyday the pain grows and manifests itself differently. I have been feeling so numb with it. I have the memories of J.T. swirling in my head at such a rapid rate lately, his smile remains in the forefront and I desperately want to touch his face. It seemed to start when it snowed last week. It hit early in the morning and Madie and Kenny were just waking up. Kenny rushed to get dressed and went outside all bundled up. He was just walking around looking up. I watched him for a while from the front window knowing that J.T. was heavy on his mind and I began to imagine J.T way up above him with pink rosy cheeks from the cold kneeling over a bucket of giant snowflakes sprinkling them down over us like sugar. I know he will never be far from us if we hold tightly to his precious memories but at the same time I know that it will never be enough and we will never be the same.

Walk with me through a jungle of carnage fear not for I will hold your hand. We will climb high atop this big red beast of anger for a unique vantage point as we travel throughout this tour. Here you will see the lives destroyed by this tragedy. Little people who were held so dear ripped from the arms of their parents. You will see the wandering faces of numbness all screaming the same questions “Why?” and “For what?” The destruction will lay thick beneath our feet and sadly it is added to daily. You cannot avoid it for to change it you must become aware. You must not only see with your eyes but with your heart and with each new reverberating beat we will march to right this wrong.

This article was pulled from www.rhinorolloverandrecall.com it is a testament to just how frequent these accidents are happening. Please read it and pass it on to others. We will continue to pray for these victims and continue to spread the word on the dangerous and deadly Yamaha Rhino.


Victims named from weekend fatals By SILVIO J. PANTA, Staff Writer Monday, February 25, 2008 11:02 PM PST

The names of victims involved in two separate fatal crashes that occurred within hours of each other at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area were released Monday. Yucaipa resident Stephanie Ann Katin, 26, was killed Saturday after being partially ejected from a rented Yamaha Rhino all-terrain vehicle that slid sideways down a 30-foot sand dune. Katin sat in the right front passenger seat. The vehicle lost traction when Katin's 29-year-old husband, Paul, turned left and tried driving it down the dune after reaching its crest, California Highway Patrol Officer Gil Caldera said. The Yucaipa couple wore the stock lap- and shoulder seat belts that came with the vehicle during the 12:43 p.m. incident, Caldera said. Paul Katin suffered no injuries and the crash is still under investigation, Caldera said. Nearly an hour and a half later that same day a 14-year-old Downey boy was killed in a second crash. Richer Erl Masse was the unrestrained passenger of an ATV Rhino, Imperial County Deputy Coroner Henry Proo said, when the driver drove over a sand dune. The recreational vehicle landed on its front bumper and ejected Masse on impact, California Highway Patrol Officer Enrique Romero said. The Rhino's roll cage landed on top of Masse as the vehicle overturned, Romero said. The accident started when the driver's boot became lodged under the brake, causing the accelerator pedal to remain down, Highway Patrol Officer Wes Boerner said. The 16-year-old driver from Santa Ana approached the crest of a dune around 30 mph, Romero said. Masse suffered major head injuries that he later died from at Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley, Romero said. The 16-year-old motorist, whose name was not released, suffered pain to his left knee during the 2 p.m. crash. The teen wore his lap and shoulder harness seat belt, Romero said.

Here are a few exerts from some of the stories I have been told, we ask for prayer not only for our own loss but also for these other victims:



“I am so sorry about J.T., your story has brought tears to my eyes. I want to commend you on your mission to prevent this from happening to anyone else. Unfortunately, my family is going through a similar event. In November, my niece was killed on a Rhino. She had just turned 18. She was riding a friends Rhino at a slow speed and made a sharp turn, her head and neck were crushed by the rollbar...she died instantly (we pray). Our families lives will never be the same, because of this company."



“My grandson was killed Tuesday on a ATV. He was ten years old. Im sure you know how much I hurt right now. We dont blame anyone but at the same time it just should not have happened. We need some time but we will join your efforts soon to make people aware of the dangers of ATVs. Maybe I can put you in contact with my daughter. She has been amazing through all of this. Im sure you could be a help to her. “



“First and foremost I want to tell you how sorry I am that you lost your beautiful son. There is no pain in comparison to losing a child.
You are in my thoughts and prayers now and will be forever more.
I am glad that you made this website and that the word is spreading about Yamaha Rhinos.
My life was forever changed, I am now disfigured and I still face amputation for the rest of my life.
I had no clue what I was getting myself into the day I got in that Rhino.”




“As I sit hear with tears rolling down my face I could only imagine the feeling of losing a child. I am a Yamaha rhino owner with three little boys. I cant tell you how many times I had both my boys out for rides on the rhino and never thought about the rhino tipping over and what damage it could ever do. I feel horrible that I never considered their safety and their well being. I wondered why I received the recall and was offered doors installed free of charge. I pondered for a few days wondering if I should have them installed or not. Thinking I would never have this rhino roll over on me, thinking I’m a good driver and this would only happen to someone careless. Well I did put on doors after all and still knowing how dangerous these machines are I will have to look into what I can do to make this safer to ride. I would of never of bought this knowing how much grief these rhinos have caused. AS I look at my son sleeping next to me on the couch, I could never imagine not having him with me. I would go to the ends of the world for my little boy's safety and would protect them with every bit of my heart & soul. I admire what you have done and said and hope you find peace in knowing that you did affect me and my thinking. God bless you and little J.T.”