Georgie, who said he never wore a helmet, was in the hospital for months with a traumatic brain injury. As of September 2016, Iowa did not have a law requiring bicyclists or skateboarders to wear helmets. Georgie’s therapists at On With Life, who see the results of injuries that could have been prevented by helmets, said they would support a helmet law for young bikers and skateboarders. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists several states (e.g., New York, Florida, Georgia, California) with laws requiring youth to wear helmets when skateboarding.

Georgie leaves this advice for all bikers and skateboarders: 

“You can trust a helmet. It’s not going to hurt you. It’s going to save your life.”