Zarse Good

My name is Jenny Good. And while you do not know me, I hope that my son's story will impact you and save another child's life.... possibly your child.

I was blessed to be the mother of Matthew Zarse Good, whose life was claimed in an a.t.v. accident on 9-27-2008. Zarse was a gifted student, had been selected to be a student ambassador to Australia, and was a stellar athlete. He was involved in his community, his school, and his church. Zarse could run the 40 yard distance in 4.3 seconds and when opposing teams saw him up to bat, they signaled their outfield to move on back. His dream was to play professional baseball, to be a respiratory therapist, and to have children and a wife of his own. Michael Jackson was his musical and dance hero. He loves Jesus. He was a phenominal big brother. And he was my best human friend.

I had no idea my precious child was being allowed on an a.t.v. that day. He was with a fellow football player and that boy's family. Then the phone call came that would change my life and create a fracture of my spirit that would remain with me until the day I die. "Your son is not breathing." I rushed to the hospital. I learned he had been on an a.t.v. with no helmet and no chest gear. My child fought to live and lost that fight. He sustained a brutal beating from the accident, breaking 9 ribs, his neck, his back, puncturing his right main bronchus, and he suffocated to death, as he tried to continue to breathe. I will never in this lifetime know if my son was awake to feel the agony of his injuries. My precious gift died in a field in a horrific way. He was smart, healthy, and strong. His death did not have to happen, and if not for the a.t.v. he was allowed to ride.... he would be here with me today.

My son had never driven an a.t.v. before. But even for kids who ride them on a daily basis, a child's reaction time and experience is not equal to that of an adult. Even a strong child is no match for the weight and speed of a full sized a.t.v. ÊMy son was an athlete and quite strong for his 5'7 127 lb. frame. He boxed men's flyweight division at age 12. He could put a grown man down on the ropes... and yet he was no match for the a.t.v. of which he lost control. Many 4 wheelers or a.t.v.'s weigh as much as 1,000 pounds and travel at speeds in excess of 70 mph. Most of us wouldn't think of allowing a child to drive a car. Yet many a.t.v.'s have the capability of speeds that surpass our local road speed limits. The terrain an a.t.v. is ridden in is often bumpy and lends itself to a rider losing control.

Every year innocent lives are lost, huge medical bills and therapy bills are accrued, and families are shattered. All because someone put a child on an a.t.v. There are many, many activities you can engage a child in that are not as dangerous. Yes, children may want to ride them and maybe they will say "So and so's parents let him/her ride!". When we decide to become parents, we sign up to be the protector of the lives we are entrusted with. Sometimes that will mean saying no. We strap babies in car seats and would be found guilty of child neglect or abuse if we failed to do so and a child was injured or killed. Older children deserve no less protection.

Not until we suspend defensive atttiudes, enforce existing laws, and put tougher laws in place to protect children from riding a.t.v.'s, will all those who have lost life receive justice. Our dead children have lost their voices. We must step up as parents and as human beings and stop children from riding a.t.v.'s. Please help to make my son's death have a purpose by saving your own child or someone else's.

R.I.P. Zarse Good
12/12/1995 - 9/27/2008

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