It’s a tragedy that makes us realize just how delicate the human body is and how quickly lives can change.
William Joseph Sidney Schooler passed away in a Kelowna hospital last week as a result of something so many of us in this splendid part of world do — he was pursuing his passion.
The young Selkirk College student was getting geared up for the winter season by fooling around with some friends outside the Tenth Street Campus. Taking risks that in the world of outdoor sport are commonplace (see front page story). He smacked his helmetless head and a few days later passed away as a result of his injuries.
Nothing can be said to ease the pain of his family at this moment. To experience the loss of such a young, healthy person is unfathomable for most of us. A young life so suddenly snatched away is a true tragedy.
We can only hope this serves as a warning for others. Schooler is certainly not the first person to die because he didn’t take time to throw on protective head gear. It happens all the time.
When we embark on an activity we are comfortable doing, it’s natural to sometimes feel invincible. When we are in the moment, too often we throw caution to the wind. The reality is life is not a video game, you don’t get bonus lives if things go wrong. Even the strongest bodies are no match for serious trauma.
It’s encouraging to see Schooler’s friends begin a local campaign about helmet awareness. While dealing with their grief, these young students now have a stark understanding about the terrible consequences of not being prepared. They want to ensure young and old get the message. We should all listen.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of William Joseph Sidney Schooler during this horribly difficult time.