Kirby Crow did this watercolor portrait of J.T. Jeremy e-mailed it to me this morning. When I opened the picture I found it fascinating that Kirby was able to capture the joy in J.T.’s face. That joy was always there and it was contagious. What a beautiful gift.

The days are seemingly passing by a little slower now I’m not sure if it is the anticipation of school being over soon or the sheer lack of excitement lately. Spring came in with such a burst this year the process could hardly be enjoyed. It was like being lost in a swirl of activity so visually intense that by the time I figured out how and what to focus on it was over. I often ponder what causes time to do that, fly by one moment then crawl the next, much like the DVD player on fast forward then pause. I have been feeling a bit anxious lately like I am waiting on something or someone and if the days would just pass that moment of arrival would come, but as usual I can’t quite put my finger on what it is I’m awaiting. It is making me feel a little stagnant and directionless, just sitting here preparing for the unknown territory called tomorrow. Will it bring a little more peace or a little more pain? Will it bring good news to my door step or another mountain to climb? Will someone be there or will I face it with that all too familiar loneliness? I don’t know so I just sit here with the remote in hand lost in the distraction of a mini blender, an eight pound vacuum, and a home gym I can purchase for six payments of $19.95 waiting for whatever tomorrow has in store and trying to remember to be confident in my ability to cope with it.

As the days roll by since our “little victory” I find myself renewed in hope, a hope that people banded together by similar tragedies can make a difference in this world, but the shadow of winter still covers the warmth of the sun allowing it to only partially thaw my heart. I celebrate this step in our cause halfheartedly because the one ear who I want to desperately tell about this remains unreachable. I’ve spent hours out behind the house sitting in J.T.’s memorial, where the cedar trees grow tall and clack together when the wind blows, just watching, waiting on that cold stone bench for him. Waiting for a glimpse of him running by his giggles ringing out like a sweet song saying “catch me!” but he’s not there. I while away the afternoon on the front porch where spring has awakened the flowers and their blooms stand tenderly toward the sun hoping he will show to smell their sweet fragrance. Sticking his nose right to them and pulling it back all covered in yellow pollen then moving along to count the buds on the Gardenia, but he has yet to show. I want to see his face, to watch his eyes dance and his smile light up as I tell him what his life has done, the people he has saved and the difference he has made. I want to celebrate this victory with J.T. but as close as I can get is to just sit and whisper at the sky hoping my words go beyond what I can physically see. Perhaps not to his ear but to his heart, and as I close my eyes to imagine his reaction the sun sets on the lonely longing of another day.

As great as the news is that Yamaha has decided to admit some of there design flaws and offered to correct some of the problems IT’S NOT OVER YET! Yes, some of the problems are being fixed but the Rhino’s still have inadequate seatbelts that DO NOT hold an occupant in securely and the roll bar remains unpadded I am optimistic that these issues can be resolved going forward. I am also hoping that this “Repair Program” that Yamaha is offering actually reaches Rhino owners and they have the information they need to fix their machine because if owners don’t know to get them fixed or choose not to, their machine remains a ticking time bomb and it’s only a matter of time before the un-repaired Rhino kills again. Mentioned in the CPSC report, and under reported in my opinion, was this advice: CONSUMERS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY STOP USING THESE POPULAR RECREATIONAL VEHICLES UNTIL THE REPAIR IS INSTALLED BY A DEALER. Please heed this warning if you own a Yamaha Rhino because it is families like mine that know all to well the dangers of an unstable Rhino! It is a bittersweet triumph for our families because it is too late to save our children but I do feel some comfort in knowing that their precious lives have affected this world in a positive way and that going forward lives have been saved through these losses. I know my son J.T. Crow would be proud to have his life linked to this victory.


“Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more.”
Louis L'Amour

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2009
Release #09-172 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908



Yamaha Motor Corp. Offers Free Repair For 450 and 660 Model Rhino Vehicles
CPSC advises consumers not to use the off-road vehicles until repaired
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., of Cypress, Calif., is announcing a free repair program to address safety issues with all Rhino 450 and 660 model off-highway recreational vehicles. Yamaha has also agreed to voluntarily suspend sale of these models immediately until repaired. Consumers should immediately stop using these popular recreational vehicles until the repair is installed by a dealer.

CPSC staff has investigated more than 50 incidents involving 46 driver and passenger deaths in these two Rhino models. More than two-thirds of the cases involved rollovers and many involved unbelted occupants. Of the rollover-related deaths and hundreds of reported injuries, some of which were serious, many appear to involve turns at relatively low speeds and on level terrain.

About 120,000 of the 450 and 660 model Rhinos have been distributed nationwide since Fall 2003. Some units have been equipped by Yamaha with half doors and additional passenger handholds, either before or after sale.

Yamaha’s repair includes the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar to help reduce the chance of rollover and improve vehicle handling, and continued installation of half doors and additional passenger handholds where these features have not been previously installed to help keep occupants’ arms and legs inside the vehicle during a rollover and reduce injuries. Owners of the affected Rhinos should stop using them and call their dealer to schedule an appointment to have repairs made once they are available and to take advantage of a free helmet offer.

Once these repairs have been made to their vehicles, Rhino users should always wear their helmet and seatbelt and follow the safety instructions and warnings in the on-product labels, owner’s manuals and other safety materials. The Rhino is only recommended for operators 16 and older with a valid driver’s license. All passengers must be tall enough to place both feet on the floorboard with their back against the seat back.

For additional information, contact Yamaha at 800-962-7926 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.yamaha-motor.com



To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.