no to something that sounds dangerous.
Unfortunately, children are susceptive to peer pressure and the like; even the most intelligent of youngsters can be coerced andfmconvinced to partake in stunts that promise dire consequences.
Just ask the parents of 11-year-old Tyler Broome, who suffered horrific injuries after trying a YouTube craze known as ‘the roundabout of death’.
Yes, the name alone pretty much tells you the salient facts of the matter, but for Tyler it wasn’t so much an incredibly dangerous stunt as a way to show his friends how fearless he was.
The 11-year-old thereafter sustained injuries consistent with those seen in fighter pilots, after bein subjected to extreme gravitational force (G-force).
The craze he participated in – known as the ’roundabout of death’ – sees participants sitting in the middle of a playground roundabout whilst it’s spun at high speed using the rear wheel of a motorcycle.
Shortly after the ordeal, Tyler was found unconscious near the roundabout, left with possible damage to his brain and vision.
Extreme force
It’s believed he was subjected to the sort of G-force usually only encountered by pilots and astronauts.
It’s reported that Tyler was at a local park with a friend when they were approached by a group of older teenagers who dared them into the game.
Terrifying ordeal
“I don’t recognise my child – he is on the verge of having a stroke. Tyler sat on the roundabout, and the boy who came over was about 17. Tyler doesn’t know him, they are not friends,” his mom Dawn said, per British newspaper The Independent.
“He puts his motorbike on the floor, gets the roundabout spinning at such a speed. When they all stopped, the group just cleared off – it is bullying.”
Dawn claimed that hospital staff had never seen such injuries and had to do research before they were able to begin treating her son.
“The injuries were so extreme, he just looked like the Elephant Man. They have never seen it before, they are going to make a medical report from it.
“His head has completely swelled up, his blood vessels have burst, his eyes look alien. His vision is blurry. You can manage a broken arm but this? He doesn’t remember it, he doesn’t remember the detail.”
Parents, please always bear in mind that children are susceptible to trying things we adults would stay well clear of.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to young Tyler and his family. Share this story to spread the warning over an incredibly dangerous game.
70s’ heartthrob Christopher Atkins disappeared from the spotlight – see him now at 63
The actor who once stole hearts in The Blue Lagoon has resurfaced, looking very different from his teenage days – with silver hair and lines etched into his face, his transformation reflects a life fully
lived.
Away from Hollywood’s limelight, he faced struggles that nearly broke him, but today, he’s embraced a quieter life.
Let’s look at the twists and turns of his journey, from battling alcoholism to bankruptcy, and where he stands now…
Christopher Atkins, the former Blue Lagoon star, skyrocketed to fame over four decades ago, largely due to his role in the iconic 1980 film. Although acting was not his initial dream, fate had other plans.
Born in New York, Atkins grew up aspiring to become a professional baseball player, but a knee injury ended his athletic ambitions. Instead of heading to the baseball field, he found himself teaching sailing and trying his hand at modeling. A fateful audition led to his breakthrough as Richard in The Blue Lagoon, a role that would change his life forever.
Atkins was chosen from among 4,000 hopefuls for the part, a testament to his undeniable on-screen charisma, Now to Love detailed. The film, co-starring Brooke Shields, told the story of two teenagers stranded on a tropical island and quickly became a box-office sensation.
One of the first mainstream movies to feature male nudity, it was an intimidating experience for the young actor, but his performance captured audiences worldwide.
Following his success in The Blue Lagoon, Atkins went on to star in The Pirate Movie, where he met Australian model Lyn Barron.
Reminiscing on their whirlwind romance, he shared: “It was love at first sight, and six months later we were married. We went on to have two kids, Grant and Brittany.” However, the glamorous Hollywood life came with a darker side.
As Atkins’ career progressed, the pressures of fame began to weigh heavily. Constant travel, extravagant parties, and high expectations led him down a dangerous path of alcoholism.
Although the family had settled in Los Angeles, their seemingly perfect life unraveled when Atkins discovered that his former manager had embezzled nearly half a million dollars from him. The financial betrayal left the star nearly bankrupt, leading to an alcohol-fueled breakdown in 1986. Reflecting on that challenging period, he admitted to Lifestyle Magazine: “There is nothing worse than having your whole life pulled out from under you.
His turning point came after a heated argument with his wife, which prompted his parents to step in. Atkins entered rehab for 28 days to confront his addiction. After completing treatment, he emerged with a new perspective on life. “I came out of there realizing that I wanted to be a dad more than I wanted to be a drunk,” he said. Despite his efforts, his marriage couldn’t survive the strain of his struggles. “Sadly, the marriage didn’t last, but we remain genuinely great friends,” he added.
Atkins has now been sober for over 30 years, a milestone he takes pride in. He made a conscious effort to be a devoted father, focusing on his children, Grant and Brittany. Grant pursued baseball, chasing the dream his father once had, while Brittany ventured into acting, appearing in British children’s films, including one written by her father.
While Atkins continued to work in film and television, he longed for another major box office hit like The Blue Lagoon. “I consider myself an actor, that’s what I’ve done for 43 years… I still, to this day, dream of being in an ‘A’ movie again,” he revealed.
Outside of his career, Atkins remains hopeful about love. Having been married for 20 years and experienced other relationships, he still seeks a partner who shares his zest for life. “I want a woman, obviously no drama, I’m too old for that. A woman who loves to laugh, can be spontaneous…has to be open,” he shared, per Page Six.
Now a grandfather to three boys, Atkins finds immense joy in his role. “I take them snake hunting, we go camping, fishing, play ball, wrestle all the time, we have a blast. They’re so much fun,” he said.
Christopher Atkins’ transformation is a true testament to his resilience – what an inspiration to us all!
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