Pubdate: Sun, 04 Aug 2002
Source: Log Cabin Democrat (AR)
Copyright: 2002 The Log Cabin Democrat
Contact:  http://thecabin.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/548
Author: Cathy Shelton, Conway:
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PARENTS NEED TO WATCH CHILDREN

After an incident I witnesses Aug. 24 on Locust Avenue, I must share with 
Conway people.

My husband and I were driving down Locust when three children rode their 
bikes out in front of my truck. I was driving slowly, and aware of my 
surroundings and was able to stop and wait for them to clear the road.

However, one young lady, probably around 5, was struggling with her bike. 
Then I noticed her legs getting caught in the bike. She fell on the street 
as her friends watched her struggle. I then noticed that she has a 
crippling disability of her limbs as she drug herself and the bike out of 
the road.

My husband thought it was great that she was trying to ride a bike. On the 
other hand, I began to hyperventilate as my blood pressure rose quickly. I 
sat in my truck for almost two minutes waiting on her. Not one adult was in 
sight. If I was a deranged person, I could have snatched up both girls and 
driven off with them. The younger boy would only be able to identify a 
white truck. If I had been a teenager I probably would have whipped through 
the street trying to scare her out of the way not knowing of her struggling 
and possibly hit her.

Parents, take care of your children. It's a 24-hour-a-day job and it was 
the hardest job I ever had. Why do houses have back yards in Conway when so 
few are used? Parents, be visible when they are not in the yard and take 
them to the park to ride their bikes. Better yet, get off the couch and 
ride with them.

I find it amusing that parents are so upset over drug testing when those 
aren't the real issues of life. My 18- and 21-year-old children will tell 
you that many of the kids in Conway they know use or have used drugs. I had 
one in public and one in private school. Everyone yaks about our right and 
freedom being invaded. Maybe it's the parents we need to look at instead of 
the children.
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MAP posted-by: Beth