Talk and Die
Natasha Richardson was suffering from "talk and die" syndrome. Only, she was aware of the "talk" part -- but not at all about the "die" part.
The fact that Richardson, the respected and world-renowned actress, is dead now at the age of 45 simply because she fell and hit her head on a beginner's ski slope, is difficult to comprehend.
The doctors call it "talk and die" syndrome, and if that sounds like the title of a Grade B horror movie, you're right. But it's also a legitimate condition, potentially, of someone who has suffered trauma to their skull -- no matter how innocuous that trauma initially appeared to be.
What happens is that the brain gets jarred around in the skull, and the victim, right after the contact, doesn't feel any symptoms. Then, blood starts to seep out in all the wrong places between the brain and the skull, and that's when things can go sideways in a hurry.
"Talk and die" syndrome is what killed Natasha Richardson. She was reported to have been laughing and joking about her fall, refusing medical attention. Then she retired to her room and, within the hour, fell ill. Within another few hours she was in critical condition. Within two days of her seemingly innocent fall, she was dead.
Talk and die.
When I got the news last night, confirming reports that ran rampant throughout the day, that Richardson's family had ended life support and that she had passed away, I was looking at her photo on the AOL front page. I just stared at it, for some twenty, thirty seconds. She had a lazy, half-smile on her lovely face.
Then, the headline.
Natasha Richardson Dies From Injuries
After I was finally able to tear my gaze from Richardson's photo, I began thinking about her husband, actor Liam Neeson, and their children. Then I thought of Jett Travolta, John's son who died so tragically last year. And John's wife, actress Kelly Preston.
Because they're people, see, these famous celebrities. I didn't think of their wealth, or their nannies or their publicists or their most recent paycheck. Natasha Richardson is dead because she was just like you or me -- refusing the fuss of a hospital trip because, well, she felt fine. And why bother, despite the suggestions of "just in case"?
Naturally, the 20/20 hindsighters are already out.
"ALWAYS go the hospital when you hit your head," is a paraphrased version of what's on the Web.
Well, yeah -- in a perfect world.
1963-2009
Yes, Natasha Richardson is, today, a cautionary tale for what COULD happen if you don't run for the emergency room after every knock on the noggin. It's OK; those hindsighters mean well.
And, no, most folks WON'T heed that advice, Richardson's story likely long vanished from their consciousness by that point.
Talk and die. It could happen to any one of us, no matter how rich or poor we are.
Natasha Richardson, dead at age 45. She leaves behind a husband and two boys.
So sad.
The fact that Richardson, the respected and world-renowned actress, is dead now at the age of 45 simply because she fell and hit her head on a beginner's ski slope, is difficult to comprehend.
The doctors call it "talk and die" syndrome, and if that sounds like the title of a Grade B horror movie, you're right. But it's also a legitimate condition, potentially, of someone who has suffered trauma to their skull -- no matter how innocuous that trauma initially appeared to be.
What happens is that the brain gets jarred around in the skull, and the victim, right after the contact, doesn't feel any symptoms. Then, blood starts to seep out in all the wrong places between the brain and the skull, and that's when things can go sideways in a hurry.
"Talk and die" syndrome is what killed Natasha Richardson. She was reported to have been laughing and joking about her fall, refusing medical attention. Then she retired to her room and, within the hour, fell ill. Within another few hours she was in critical condition. Within two days of her seemingly innocent fall, she was dead.
Talk and die.
When I got the news last night, confirming reports that ran rampant throughout the day, that Richardson's family had ended life support and that she had passed away, I was looking at her photo on the AOL front page. I just stared at it, for some twenty, thirty seconds. She had a lazy, half-smile on her lovely face.
Then, the headline.
Natasha Richardson Dies From Injuries
After I was finally able to tear my gaze from Richardson's photo, I began thinking about her husband, actor Liam Neeson, and their children. Then I thought of Jett Travolta, John's son who died so tragically last year. And John's wife, actress Kelly Preston.
Because they're people, see, these famous celebrities. I didn't think of their wealth, or their nannies or their publicists or their most recent paycheck. Natasha Richardson is dead because she was just like you or me -- refusing the fuss of a hospital trip because, well, she felt fine. And why bother, despite the suggestions of "just in case"?
Naturally, the 20/20 hindsighters are already out.
"ALWAYS go the hospital when you hit your head," is a paraphrased version of what's on the Web.
Well, yeah -- in a perfect world.
1963-2009
Yes, Natasha Richardson is, today, a cautionary tale for what COULD happen if you don't run for the emergency room after every knock on the noggin. It's OK; those hindsighters mean well.
And, no, most folks WON'T heed that advice, Richardson's story likely long vanished from their consciousness by that point.
Talk and die. It could happen to any one of us, no matter how rich or poor we are.
Natasha Richardson, dead at age 45. She leaves behind a husband and two boys.
So sad.
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