This past week, we sat down with 9-year-old Jason Zeidman, whose father, Scott, is a member of the School Board.
Four months ago, as the new school year was unfolding on Tuesday, Sept.2, Jason was hit by a car on Farragut Drive.
As a result of the accident, he broke two bones in his left ankle, suffered facial lacerations requiring stitches, and he sustained a concussion.
Jason spent nine weeks in a cast, using a wheelchair for transportation for six weeks, and he learned to maneuver with crutches for the next three.
Jason, who earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do by the age of 8, is walking, and he is beginning to run again.
Question: What is your first thought when you look back at that Tuesday morning?
“While I hate being hit by a car, and I wouldn’t want anyone else to get hit, I believe it was the luckiest day of my life.”
Please explain how this could have been your luckiest day.
“If I had been a split-second faster, I would have been hit by the bumper (instead of the mirror), and I could have died. Hurting my ankle and my head was really bad, but it sure beats dying.”
That’s a mature attitude. Where did you gain such maturity in just nine years?
“I’ve learned a lot from my great teachers at El Marino School, and from my parents.”
What do you remember about the accident?
“Nothing. I remember getting out of the car. The next thing I remember is seeing police officers around me. That’s it.”
You were taken to the emergency room by ambulance. Do you remember anything about the ride?
“I remember them ripping off my favorite clothes. The next thing I remember is going home from the hospital in my father’s car, about six hours later. I had a cast on my leg then.”
How was it having a cast on your leg for nine weeks?
“Not very good, but I did get to sleep on the couch with my dad. He carried me to the bathroom, and to the car, and everywhere else, all the time, until he hurt his back carrying me. That part wasn’t so good.”
What do you hope happens as a result of your accident?
“That’s a tough question.
“For me, I am looking forward to playing basketball, football, baseball, skiing and swimming. I missed two basketball seasons (including one season where my team didn’t win a game), and I missed fall baseball. I haven’t been able to go back to Tae Kwon Do yet. I hope I don’t miss skiing, but I’m not sure if I can ski yet. I’m pretty good on the WII Fit ski slalom, but I don’t think it’s the same as real skiing.
“It’s been hard this year. I don’t want anyone else to get hit by a car or get in a car accident. So, I hope that my accident will cause people to drive more safely, to pay attention, and to be honest. I hope that drivers will be very careful around schools. I also hope that kids will be very careful walking across the street. It stinks getting hit.”
Your father has been discussing school traffic safety almost every day since your accident. How do you like having a father on the School Board?
“Sometimes it’s bad, and sometimes it’s good. It’s bad because he is always going to meetings and school things. It’s good because he is trying to make things better for me and everyone else.
“That’s it. Are we done yet?”
