<p>My freshman son had a biking accident yesterday morning (lost traction and was thrown from the bike – no other vehicle involved). His helmet was cracked and he felt dizzy for a bit. He got himself to the college infirmary where the nurse (no doctor in on Sunday) said his pupils seemed OK so she said he did not seem to have a concussion. He was given an appointment with the doctor for Monday. But a little later that morning he did black out for a bit in church. </p>
<p>When I learned of this (hours later - in the midafternoon! ARRRGGHH - son is too low-key for his own good!) I contacted his personal/home physician who strongly recommended he go to the local ER pronto for a CT scan, based on concern over the delayed blackout. He did that, with transportation provided by campus security. A friend of his, nobody I had ever met of even heard of, volunteered to accompany him and stayed there in the hospital for hours, while my son waited to be seen, was given a CAT scan and then waited for the results.</p>
<p>Fortunately, the results of the scan were negative. I am deeply appreciative of the friend who accompanied him and would like to send him a significant thank-you. My son has so far not come up with any specific ideas but has privided me with the young man’s address. I would do a gift card to the campus store but it is now so late in the semester.</p>
<p>Suggestions? Recommendations for some sort of campus-appropriate gift basket?</p>
<p>P.S. I am SO glad my son has always been good about wearing a helmet – I told him if the helmet had not been there to crack it would have been his skull!</p>
<p>If I had done something like that for a friend, I would not expect any kind of thank you except for a verbal one from the friend – assuming the friend was in any kind of shape to do that.</p>
<p>A gift from a friend’s parent would cheapen my act. This would be true even though I was a college student on a financial aid-based scholarship. What I would have done would have been exactly what friends are for. My own son is a broke college student, and I can imagine him acting the way your son’s friend did. He wouldn’t expect or want any gift for being kind.</p>
<p>I suggest that you send the friend a handwritten note letting the friend know how much you appreciate the fact that your son has such a caring, wise friend.</p>
<p>Inviting the friend to have lunch or dinner with you when you visit your son also would be a nice way to convey your gratitude.</p>
<p>When my daughter had an appendectomy her freshman year, a RA from her dorm stayed with her at the hospital until I arrived (a 5-hour drive, with her on the phone with updates every 30 minutes or so)…and this was on the Sunday before finals for winter quarter started. She was so amazing that I made her a “bouquet” of gift cards; one from the campus bookstore, one from the local pizza place, one from the local coffeeshop, and one from a restaurant close to campus. (I did make sure they didn’t have any expiration dates.) I also sent a letter to the Dean, letting them know how much I appreciated her above-and-beyond help. This young woman is graduating this year, and I have never forgotten her help, so I’m planning to get her a graduation gift too.</p>
<p>It doesn’t compare in any way but my son’s first year his scheduled airport town car no showed. Of course, he had no cash and was running late. He was going to let a friend of his ride along. She ran to an ATM, got cash, and they shared a cab to the airport. I wrote her a nice note thanking her and covering the cost of the cab.<br>
I agree a note would be fine and then dinner when you are visiting.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I may not have a chance to be on campus until pickup from spring semester, and he may well leave before my son does. So taking him to dinner may not be possible. I would like to send him something now just to show my appreciation, especially since this took up a lot of his time late in the semester when I am sure he had plenty of schoolwork to do. Perhaps an exam week survival basket with food items?</p>
<p>I really like the idea of sending a letter to the dean. I may do that to thank both public safety (who called me to confirm they were transporting him to the hospital) and the student.</p>
<p>First, it’s wonderful news that your son’s condition wasn’t what you feared. I understand completely how grateful you are to that friend of his who stood by him.
Last semester, right before finals, my S had an accident that ultimate resulted in major surgery to repair his arm. In the interim, before H & I could get there, he had four friends who all helped him–from sitting through emergency room visits, to driving him to the hospital, through contacting friends, helping him get groceries, and post-op–doing EVERYTHING for him. I was so grateful…so I know how important this was to you.</p>
<p>I think a nice note is certainly lovely, but I understand your wanting to do something more. I struggled about what to do, especially since there were several heros involved! What I did was order a steak dinner feast for 5 that was delivered to their door, which they turned into an even bigger barbecue. I also wrote a message with the gift about how much we appreciated all they did. </p>
<p>At this point, it’s too late for that. However, if the student hero isn’t a senior, I believe sending a gift card to the school bookstore is a GREAT idea. Assuming the store is online, he can still use the card even after the semester. And if he’s an ongoing student, he will certainly be able to use it next semester, whether it be for his textbooks for personal things he needs.</p>
<p>I really wanted to do something tangible as a thank-you and from what I heard, it was warmly received. I felt better acknowledging their sacrifices during their very hectic finals week.</p>
<p>does the school have a campus newsletter? perhaps send a letter to the editor, and copy the dean? that way it serves as a visible example to the entire school population (that reads the school paper) on the value of being a great samaritan …</p>
<p>If you are looking to thank the student monetarily, consider a VISA gift card or other money card. We did this for our own student’s RA from freshman year as a graduation gift for the RA. The RA had been a tremendous help thru that freshman year, and we wanted to do something, esp for graduation. Glad your student is doing well, also!</p>
<p>seriously, what are friends for? i agree with all the other posters who suggested that you thank the guy, in person or letter form. and the next time you are on campus, take the two of them out to dinner so that you can get to know this guy. honestly, i feel that being a hero is its own reward, and being a friend is a gift in itself</p>
<p>“How about a letter to the student’s parents?”</p>
<p>Since the student is an adult, this seems overly intrusive. I would feel odd – almost belittled – if my parents got this kind of letter about me. </p>
<p>Letting the dean know, however, seems fine since the students’ actions also reflected on the school and the type of students it selects and nurtures, and perhaps the letter will help the student be considered for scholarships or opportunities to represent the school.</p>
<p>I like this idea a lot. It doesn’t seem so much like an attempt to pay something back but rather something a parent would do for a child’s friend who they cared about.</p>
<p>Whoa,
Letter to the parents??
I’m with Northstarmom; do not involve parents, on either end!
These young people are adults.
I think it is fine for a Thank You gesture, but it should come from your son (even if you are the one to come up with the idea and the financing).</p>