4 yanktonmedicalclinic.com Bike helmet tradition continues Rotary Club, Vermillion Medical Clinic provide head protection to second graders Adapted from a story by David Lias, Vermillion Plain Talk (April 28, 2023) Matthew Krell, MD, and a watermelon delivered an important message to Vermillion second graders Friday, April 21, in the Jolley Elementary School gymnasium. Dr. Krell, a pediatrician at Vermillion Medical Clinic, started by asking the students what they could do to keep their heads safe if they got hurt while riding a bicycle, a scooter or a horse. “Wear a helmet,” some children replied. “What happens if I don’t wear a helmet?” Dr. Krell asked, holding the watermelon. Clinic were providing a free bike helmet to every second grader at Jolley and St. Agnes elementary schools—a tradition that had been interrupted by COVID-19. The annual helmet giveaway was halted because of the close interaction required between kids and volunteers to ensure that every helmet is fitted properly. HealthyChildren.org, a website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, notes that wearing a helmet can decrease the risk Photo by David Lias, Vermillion Plain Talk Matthew Krell, MD, shows an example of a head injury that wearing a helmet could help prevent. Stacked behind him are helmets provided by the Vermillion Rotary Club and the Vermillion Medical Clinic. Before a child could answer, he dropped it. The watermelon cracked open, its juice oozing all over the black plastic that had been placed on the gym floor. The physician held up a bike helmet and asked, “Do you want one of these?” then pointed to the watermelon and asked, “Or do you want one of those?” The students all agreed that the helmet option was preferable. Stacked on the stage behind Dr. Krell were several rows of bright helmets, which volunteers then fitted to the kids. For the 28th year, the Vermillion Rotary Club and the Vermillion Medical Photos by David Lias, Vermillion Plain Talk Barb Yelverton checks that straps are adjusted correctly as she fits a bike helmet for a girl on Friday, April 21, in the Jolley Elementary School gymnasium. Pediatrician Matthew Krell, MD
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzIxMDA=