Friday, October 10, 2008
Saturday, October 04, 2008
A Jaw-Dropping, Hair-Raising moment
But one that was extremely satisfying.
Several months ago, my partner and I helped to save a man at an event I worked at. I won't go into details, but his injuries were quite severe. Today he surprised me by showing up at an event I was working at. One of the event staff let me know he was there, and took me over to speak with him. We had followed his hospitalization and his recovery. It was one of those calls that stay with you, and the people who know him run in a specific circle that we are also a part of. So, we were able to learn how he was doing.
I was absolutely amazed to just shake his hand, knowing how hurt he was the last time I saw him taking off by helicopter to the trauma center. He is still recovering, but is doing very well, all things considered. I hope he continues to fully recover.
EMTs and Paramedics work like he** to save people. Sometimes we can, sometimes we can't. But we often don't get to see those we do. :-)
Several months ago, my partner and I helped to save a man at an event I worked at. I won't go into details, but his injuries were quite severe. Today he surprised me by showing up at an event I was working at. One of the event staff let me know he was there, and took me over to speak with him. We had followed his hospitalization and his recovery. It was one of those calls that stay with you, and the people who know him run in a specific circle that we are also a part of. So, we were able to learn how he was doing.
I was absolutely amazed to just shake his hand, knowing how hurt he was the last time I saw him taking off by helicopter to the trauma center. He is still recovering, but is doing very well, all things considered. I hope he continues to fully recover.
EMTs and Paramedics work like he** to save people. Sometimes we can, sometimes we can't. But we often don't get to see those we do. :-)
Labels: EMS
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Happy 50th Birthday NASA!
Yep, NASA is 50 years old. It was born on October 1, 1958. To learn more, click here.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Proud To Serve
For those who want to see my team (I am almost dead center in the middle row):
I am very proud to serve with DMAT CA-11, NDMS, and my country.
Labels: DMAT
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Back Home
We ended up at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Saturday, after Ike made landfall, providing care to the special needs population that arrived, primarily by ambulance and bus. It was a wonderfully fulfilling and successful mission for us.
The armada of ambulances, staged and ready to transport patients to local hospitals, and for long distance transport to San Antonio.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Never Forget
It was seven years ago today that this nation was attacked by terrorists. It changed many of our lives in ways we are still discovering. We traded some of our openness and freedoms for what we hope is enhanced security against further attacks; TSA screening everything we own when we board a plane, "LiveScan" fingerprinting and increased background checks for simple things such as employment, RealID coming up, and more.It was on September 11, 2001, after the attacks, that I made the decision to join DMAT CA-11. I had tried to join the military years and years ago, but they wouldn't take me, since I was missing a kidney. I have always felt a strong need to give back to my country. I remember filling out the application that day, and have been a member of this team since then. Interestingly enough, my application sailed through in record time (Karma?).
Today I sit in a hotel in Dallas, waiting with my team and many others for Hurricane Ike to make landfall. Whether we move before it moves in, or afterward, is up to the folk well above my level. Some teams are out there evacuating patients, others like us, are waiting for our missions, which will eventually occur.
Please take time today to honor those who died as a result of these horrid acts. And take special time for those who died trying to save so many... the firefighters, EMTs, and police. They truly died serving their country on that day. If you don't already volunteer, consider it. It doesn't need to be DMAT... local non-profits are always looking for volunteers.
Labels: DMAT, EMS, Giving, Misc Rants

