How Frail We Are

Posted May 30, 2008

A commentary by Sean Yarbrough

"I can't do this!" cried Tammi as she burst into tears. "I just can't do this!"

Staff, patients and visitors watched helplessly as Tammi broke down during her therapy session. She was finally beginning to realize just how devastating and permanent her spinal cord injury was. And it seemed more than she could bear.

Working with trauma survivors like Tammi has introduced me to a world of pain and suffering that thousands of individuals endure every day. Whether their injuries involve brain damage, broken bones or internal injuries, these patients and their families come to realize just how fragile we humans are.

Unfortunately, this realization comes a little too late for some young people. And scientists believe they know why.

The incomplete teenage mind

Current neuroscience research indicates teenagers take risks, ignore consequences and often fail to think things through because their brains are still maturing. In fact, studies show brain development may continue 10 years beyond adolescence or longer in some cases.

As Gargi Talukder of Stanford University explains, "The frontal lobes of the brain have been implicated in behavioral inhibition, the ability to control emotions and impulses. The frontal lobes are also thought to be the place where decisions about right and wrong, as well as cause-effect relationships, are processed. In contrast, the amygdala is part of the limbic system of the brain and is involved in instinctive 'gut' reactions, including 'fight or flight' responses."

Researchers found that adults have more activity in their frontal lobes than do teenagers. So while adults should be able to use logic and reason when facing emotional decisions, adolescent brains are not yet fully equipped to think through things in the same way. Consequently, our emotions often get the better of us.

Dangers of car surfing

One example of impulsive behavior that has gained popularity among teens and young adults is car surfing. Also called ghost riding or in Australia 'ute surfing, typically young drivers allow other young friends to ride outside or on top of their moving vehicles. With all-to-frequent regularity news reports are filed about youth who are injured or killed performing such dangerous and frankly foolish endeavors.

Those who engage in this type of risky behavior just do not realize how fragile they are and how quickly things can go wrong. The head and spine are completely vulnerable to a traumatic injury, even at very low speeds. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to break your back to become permanently paralyzed from a spinal cord injury. Likewise, helmets worn by motorcyclists and others only protect against skull fractures—not brain injuries caused by the forces of inertia within the skull.

How frail are we?

Long ago, a famous king wrote about the temporary nature of human existence. Although he had been a great warrior and had "cheated death" numerous times, he recognized he was not invincible. In Psalm 39:4, King David recorded the following prayer: "LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am."

Vertical thinkers would do well to listen to their parents, older siblings and other adults when they express loving concern about the dangers of risky behavior. Although the thrill of the moment may seem attractive at the time, it's not worth the pain and suffering that may result.

Read Keys to a Long, Healthy Life to learn more about how you can live life as God intended. And never forget how frail we are as humans. VT