Is extreme sports worth it?

I was telling my mum about a friend who lost a tendon in his knee from a motor cross accident. He had to walk with a tongkat for many months and still has trouble bending his knee now after a whole year. My mum said that some people like him don't think, and purposely put themselves in dangerous situations (e.g. sky diving, racing, etc).

"But isn't that called passion?" I argued. "Doing something you love?"

Not really, she said. They only think its passion.

But I disagree!!

Isn't being passionate about something really something you want to do? You'd obviously know about the risks involved, unless of course you go into it blindly. Right, right? So I asked, "Don't people get injured even when they are walking down the street?"

Yes, she said.

Ah hah! My point exactly. Why get into an accident for no reason, when you can get injured doing something you liked? Ok, that didn’t sound right, but you know what I’m getting at (at least you can say its wounds of 'war' :P) Might as well sit at home collecting buttons & not go out at all.

Her conclusion? Do whatever you want, but be CAREFUL. Don't become a burden to other people when you DO get injured. Injuries cost money and you might not enjoy having to rely on other people if you do become disabled.

Hmm... mother's always have a point, don't they? :)