November 23, 2007, Page 1 of 2
Michael Tomich
PO Box 214
Gagetown, Mi. 48735
miketomich@yahoo.com, miketomich.com
Mr. Bill Gates - Chairman
Mr. Steven A. Ballmer - Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Jeffrey M. Koontz - Counsel
Microsoft Corporation
1 Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399, Mr. Bill Gates 425, 882-8080
Subject: Children's Deformed Fingers from Video Gaming - Dynamic Forces
Dear Gentlemen:
Thank you for announcing the addition of parental controls to your video gaming equipment. This is a major first step in taking the
thunder out of this issue and to start defusing the bomb. It's unfortunate that it has taken 6-years and millions of injured children for
corrective actions to start. Rather than wait for additional millions of children in the world be added to the list of crippled fingers and
hand/finger functional losses, it is imperative that the message of children's deformities get to the world before the buying spurge of
this Christmas holiday.
I'm sure that preventing children's deformed fingers from video gaming during the ages when their (hand/finger) bone mass is too
soft (un-calcified) to withstand the dynamic forces generated has become a priority with the video industry. Remember, each
dynamic force results in a permanent shock loading damage to children's bone mass, and each injury adds to and expands the
previous damage. The mini-injuries continue to accumulate and get worse. Noticeable physical damage usually appears within 3 to
7 weeks as a bump (as children call it) on their knuckle(s) or a curvature of the finger(s). However, the 'bump' as you are aware, is
the high point of the twisted knuckle.
Our study has shown that with the degree of skeletal injuries there is also a proportional loss in the physical functionality. Results
have shown it is unsafe for any child to be subjected to any process which exceeds the Material Creep of their bone mass for any
length of time.
Thirty minutes of gaming today, plus 30 minutes of gaming next week, or next month….equals 60 minutes of accumulative,
destructive, dynamic force shock loading injuries. Your warnings of taking breaks in playing time, does nothing to prevent or
eliminate finger or skeletal damage.
With the severity of this problem impacting the children of the world, it would behoove us to share the results of our studies to
enhance the corrective actions. I'm requesting your information be supplied to us, the NIHCD, Dr. Charles Helmick-CDC Arthritic
Group, NHTSA, and all State Governor's, and Child Day Care Facilities/Organizations.
Page 2 of 2
Michigan Department of Day Care Licensing, as well as other states, does not have controls relative to time restrictions, age, etc. for
young children video gaming. Child Day Care Facilities encourage the use of video gaming for behavioral control. Many children I've
examined indicated they were introduced to video gaming in the facilities, and pleaded with their parents to purchase gaming for
home use. With the large attendance in the facilities, the message must be delivered immediately. Gaming must be removed as
well as other dynamic force processes.
In closing, I wish to thank you again for your attention in this matter and warn you that parental controls will not be effective in
preventing injuries unless parents are aware of the development of their children's skeletal damage. It is crucial that children do not
conduct gaming when they have soft bones; please add age restrictions. To avoid the needless injuries to millions of children that
have not previously conducted gaming, I plead with you and the industry to make parents aware of the deformities before this
coming Christmas season in 2007.
I'm sure we will all look forward to the day when the destructive dynamic forces are removed from many product designs and
humanity can live without chronic physical pain, arthritic joints, rheumatism, and other skeletal injuries. A computer for every child
must not happen until a safe age is established. A clean point in history must be established.
Thank you in advance for helping our children. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
For our children…….Very truly yours,
Michael G. Tomich
Attachment: 2 pages of injured children's pictures
Cc:
Nintendo
Sony
Mad Catz
Hewlett-Packard
Dell Inc.
Gateway, Inc.
IBM Corporation
Apple Computer
Binney & Smith Inc.
NHTSA
CDC
K. Raval M.D.
A. Sawar M.D.
R. Tomich P.E.
Various Interested Government and Private Personnel and Agencies
Michael Tomich
PO Box 214
Gagetown, Mi. 48735
miketomich@yahoo.com, miketomich.com
Mr. Bill Gates - Chairman
Mr. Steven A. Ballmer - Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Jeffrey M. Koontz - Counsel
Microsoft Corporation
1 Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399, Mr. Bill Gates 425, 882-8080
Subject: Children's Deformed Fingers from Video Gaming - Dynamic Forces
Dear Gentlemen:
Thank you for announcing the addition of parental controls to your video gaming equipment. This is a major first step in taking the
thunder out of this issue and to start defusing the bomb. It's unfortunate that it has taken 6-years and millions of injured children for
corrective actions to start. Rather than wait for additional millions of children in the world be added to the list of crippled fingers and
hand/finger functional losses, it is imperative that the message of children's deformities get to the world before the buying spurge of
this Christmas holiday.
I'm sure that preventing children's deformed fingers from video gaming during the ages when their (hand/finger) bone mass is too
soft (un-calcified) to withstand the dynamic forces generated has become a priority with the video industry. Remember, each
dynamic force results in a permanent shock loading damage to children's bone mass, and each injury adds to and expands the
previous damage. The mini-injuries continue to accumulate and get worse. Noticeable physical damage usually appears within 3 to
7 weeks as a bump (as children call it) on their knuckle(s) or a curvature of the finger(s). However, the 'bump' as you are aware, is
the high point of the twisted knuckle.
Our study has shown that with the degree of skeletal injuries there is also a proportional loss in the physical functionality. Results
have shown it is unsafe for any child to be subjected to any process which exceeds the Material Creep of their bone mass for any
length of time.
Thirty minutes of gaming today, plus 30 minutes of gaming next week, or next month….equals 60 minutes of accumulative,
destructive, dynamic force shock loading injuries. Your warnings of taking breaks in playing time, does nothing to prevent or
eliminate finger or skeletal damage.
With the severity of this problem impacting the children of the world, it would behoove us to share the results of our studies to
enhance the corrective actions. I'm requesting your information be supplied to us, the NIHCD, Dr. Charles Helmick-CDC Arthritic
Group, NHTSA, and all State Governor's, and Child Day Care Facilities/Organizations.
Page 2 of 2
Michigan Department of Day Care Licensing, as well as other states, does not have controls relative to time restrictions, age, etc. for
young children video gaming. Child Day Care Facilities encourage the use of video gaming for behavioral control. Many children I've
examined indicated they were introduced to video gaming in the facilities, and pleaded with their parents to purchase gaming for
home use. With the large attendance in the facilities, the message must be delivered immediately. Gaming must be removed as
well as other dynamic force processes.
In closing, I wish to thank you again for your attention in this matter and warn you that parental controls will not be effective in
preventing injuries unless parents are aware of the development of their children's skeletal damage. It is crucial that children do not
conduct gaming when they have soft bones; please add age restrictions. To avoid the needless injuries to millions of children that
have not previously conducted gaming, I plead with you and the industry to make parents aware of the deformities before this
coming Christmas season in 2007.
I'm sure we will all look forward to the day when the destructive dynamic forces are removed from many product designs and
humanity can live without chronic physical pain, arthritic joints, rheumatism, and other skeletal injuries. A computer for every child
must not happen until a safe age is established. A clean point in history must be established.
Thank you in advance for helping our children. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
For our children…….Very truly yours,
Michael G. Tomich
Attachment: 2 pages of injured children's pictures
Cc:
Nintendo
Sony
Mad Catz
Hewlett-Packard
Dell Inc.
Gateway, Inc.
IBM Corporation
Apple Computer
Binney & Smith Inc.
NHTSA
CDC
K. Raval M.D.
A. Sawar M.D.
R. Tomich P.E.
Various Interested Government and Private Personnel and Agencies
| Letter to Microsoft Corporation and The Video Gaming Industry about Necessary Corrective Actions |
www.miketomich.com
It is commendable of Microsoft Corporation to add parental controls to their gaming equipment that will allow parents to set limits
on children's gaming time. However, parental controls will do nothing to prevent children from developing permanently bent and
twisted finger deformities with hand and finger functional losses and a poor quality of life as adults.
on children's gaming time. However, parental controls will do nothing to prevent children from developing permanently bent and
twisted finger deformities with hand and finger functional losses and a poor quality of life as adults.
| WARNING: Microsoft must provide a game controller that does not injure children's fingers. |
| Click picture NBC-TV 25 News Flint, Mi USA (2:11min) |
| Click picture See informative Case Studies (flickr.com) |
| Do not allow children to play video games until a safe game controller is provided |
| Click (Inside our book) for further information and pictures about this discovery. "Inside our book" |
| Video gaming injuries that will prevent children's meaningful employment as adults. Maybe the video gaming industry will provide their employment? |
| The contents of our web site is copyrighted but is offered free for public/commercial reference with proper credits. |