I am anxious even coming on this thread. I am also from Louisiana. We were raised on ATVs. I definitely rode and drove 3-wheelers from very young. My siblings, too. Actually, we had 5 to share between the 8 kids. Well, my son's father got him one when he was 7. He has just turned 8 now. He also bought him a motorbike. My son is extremely cautious and doesn't love riding, but is pressured by his dad's family. I, on the other hand, go into extreme anxiety and sadness when my little leaves with his dad. It is not often at all, but I still can barely stand it. I DO NOT want him to ride, but there is a long history of discord with his father. If I say "he cannot", that is an instant road to him making sure it happens. So, I send him with a helmet- not an ATV rated helmet, but its better than nothing, right? Well, he doesn't give it to him to wear. I freak out and cry every time. My son says now we just need to have an excuse why he can't go anymore- even he knows that not giving permission will just make it worse. Then this article pops up all over my Facebook! And it makes me not be able to catch my breath! It is my worst fear. It is all too possible and likely. I hope and pray that this baby makes it. As parents, we always try to balance our fears against not being too overprotective and we won't always make the right decisions. Maddie's parents will question themselves and every thing they have done from now until the end of time. It is a hard job and we all do what we think we feel is best, at the moment.