From my misspent youth…
Summer between 7th and 8th grade, friends and I are playing a rousing game of bike tag through our less than flat suburban streets. I had just been “it”, and was now pedaling for the life of me on my 10 speed down a roughly 30 degree incline that flattened out after maybe a fifth of a mile. Going faster than I thought my legs would carry me, and putting distance on my best friend who was cruising down the hill himself, I hit the slight depression in the street that had collected gravel and lost control. Not sure how I managed it, but I landed with all of my weight on my left wrist, which was promptly broken in 3 places.
After walking the half a block to my house, and explaining through tears to my dear old dad what had happened, he promptly tells me I’m just scared to get back on the horse, and sends me back out to ride on and shake it off… just perfect.
Second stupid thing kids (or this kid) do…
Junior high graduation party, good times are being had by most in the backyard of a friend’s home. 14 yr old boys being 14 yr old boys, we start an ice fight. this promptly results in young Theodore being struck in the left eye with a piece of flying ice. Resulting injury is a hyphema (broken blood vessel in the iris) causing a nice 5 day visit lying at a 33 degree angle at Children’s hospital. Fortunately, the nurses were very attractive!