Wearing a Seat Belt can Save a Life by Dr. Robert Wallace on Creators.com

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Wearing a Seat Belt can Save a Life

DR. WALLACE: This letter is directed to teens who travel in a motor vehicle. Please buckle up, regardless of where you sit or how short the trip might be. Several weeks ago, I stopped at the scene of a violent automobile crash. Having medical training, I thought I might offer aid and comfort before the police and the emergency crew arrived.

I approached one of the vehicles in the crash and noticed that no one was in it. Then I saw a young lady on the ground. It was obvious that she had not been wearing a seat belt and had been ejected from her car. I did everything my medical training had taught me, but her injuries were too severe and she died in my arms.

I am a retired medical doctor and have observed death before, but nothing has bothered me as much as this young girl dying in my arms. There was a very good chance that the young driver would have survived the crash had she been properly belted. A precious young life was taken because the victim didn't take the time to "buckle up."

I only hope that my letter will encourage all automobile riders, young and old, to take time to secure their seat belts. Lives are too precious to lose because of an unclicked seat belt. — Dr. Pat, Honolulu.

DOCTOR PAT: Thanks for your excellent advice. Teens learn best from those who have "been there and done that," even when the experience has a tragic ending.

DON'T END PEN PAL RELATIONSHIP

DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and engaged to be married to a super nice guy, who I love dearly. Tim loves me very much, and we should have a long wonderful marriage.

But there is one problem.

I have a guy pen pal who lives in California; we have been exchanging letters for more than five years. We have never met, but I would like to meet him someday.

My husband-to-be thinks that when we get married I should write to Jason and tell him I no longer want to correspond with him because I'm married. I can't accept this. Jason has become a friend and I want it to remain that way.

It would be wonderful if, sometime in the future, my husband and I and our children (we want three) could meet Jason, his wife and their children.

Tim thinks that it would be unwise for a married woman to be writing to a guy. He said that if he had a female pen pal, he would end the correspondence once he got married. We both agree that we will take your advice on who is more correct. — Juliet, Clinton, Iowa.

JULIET: I agree with you and think Tim needs to work on his trust and self-esteem issues. There's no good reason for you to stop writing to Jason. Why should you be required to toss away five years of friendship?

The two of you need to have a serious discussion on this matter before you exchange marriage vows — possibly with the help of a trusted third party, such as a clergyman or marriage counselor. Spouses don't "own" each other or have a monopoly interest in their friendships. Trust is a prime ingredient in a successful marriage.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.