Dear Abby: Teen grandson’s life-threatening crashes don’t stop him from racing BMX bike

DEAR ABBY: My 15-year-old grandson races BMX bicycles. Last year, he had a traumatic brain injury and had to be medevaced to a pediatric hospital. Once he recovered, he went right back to racing.

Last week, he crashed and damaged both of his kidneys. He’s in intensive care as I write this. We don’t know how long he’ll be there or if he will need dialysis afterward.

His parents plan to drive him right back to the BMX track the minute he recovers! I think they are extremely irresponsible.

I’ve read that 15-year-olds aren’t able to assess risk properly. What can I do to stop this? — CONCERNED GRANDMA IN THE SOUTH

DEAR CONCERNED: There is an adage that suggests if someone falls off a horse, they should get right back on. However, when it comes to life-threatening accidents, common sense tells me the circumstances should not be repeated. That your grandson is now contemplating returning to racing is shocking. That his parents would encourage it seems irresponsible. That said, there is nothing you can do to prevent the boy from risking his life, so start praying.

Stories by

Abigail Van Buren

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at

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