Wear Your Helmet

Life for Tom Loveless changed on June 28, 2009 around 4PM.   Loveless, an avid skateboarder was getting ready to take a run on the slopes of the new skate park on the North section of Lea/ McKeighan Park at the corner of Chipman and Douglas.   Loveless made the imprudent choice of not wearing his protective helmet.   His skateboard raced to the ten foot marker of the wall in the skate run and fell out from underneath him.  He hit the hard surface, head first.  As he lay in a semiconscious state his fellow skateboarders surrounded him to assist him in any way they could.  One unknown person called 911 and the paramedics from Station # 1 came to his aid and to save his life.  Loveless had blood coming from his ears and his nose.  He also suffered from bleeding on the brain.  The well trained paramedics from the Lee’s Summit Fire Department took over and whisked him away on a life saving mission to Center Point Hospital Trauma Unit.  

On the way to the hospital the strong faith that Loveless had been raised with his whole life kicked in and protected him and helped him have hope for survival.  Loveless stated that he bargained with God on his trip to the hospital.  The thought of his small children being without their father was overwhelming to him. 

 Loveless was in the hospital with his parents at his side for several days.  He has been skating for many years and shares his love of the sport with his mother Jill.  Tom’s parents gave him his first skateboard at an early age and watched his love for the sport grow.  Loveless progressed from the average skate board to a semi pro board. The sport has seen him through some rough times lately.  He has used the sport as a part of his regular physical activity. The adrenalin rush of the sport is the same for any other person who is involved in athletics.  “Skate boarding has its own culture”  Loveless stated.  “There are skaters of all ages even up to the 40 to 50 year-old age group”. 

 Loveless is affiliated with Genesis Skateboard Company which operates its business based on Christian values.  The business has been in existence for 3 years.  It promotes safe skating for all ages.  The underlying theme is “Wear Your Helmet”.   For one split second Loveless forgot these important words.  Loveless wants to spread the word about skateboard safety.  He is using his accident as a platform to tell others who skate to wear their protective gear.  He wants to reach out to parents and skaters alike.  Loveless is planning an event for skaters where he will donate helmets and share his story.  Loveless, with a large black eye from the accident, spoke in a most humble way regarding what happened and wishing he had worn his helmet on that fateful day in June.