If you get a chance, you owe it to yourself to read a collaborative series of posts a few fine bloggers have written. Titled "Perspectives," these three folks follow a deadly situation through three phases of our emergency response/care systems.
The first responder is Matt, who gives a police officer's perspective on a tragic car wreck.
Dovetailing with Matt's post comes the perspective of Ambulance Driver.
Finally, Babs RN contributes the viewpoint of the nurse in charge of a small town hospital emergency room as they receive the injured.
This depiction is a composite of many tragic scenarios they've been presented with as emergency service personnel. We rely on them being there we need them, but we don't give a lot of thought to the real peril and the painful human toll that must come with the burden of seeing people at their most desperate moments in life. I thank them for their service to our communities, and also for these splendidly written posts.
9 comments:
Thank you so much :)
I wish I had not read all that yet I am glad I did. I know what it is like to be in the back seat with an irresponsible asshole who wasn't drinking. He revved the car up before a one lane bridge and took a chance. We hit the oncoming car that couldn't be seen...Thank God, thank God none were not hurt.
Thanks, Phlegmy-- you're too kind.
We put it together from actual events, realizing that we've all seen each other's event from a different angle. I'm just surprised at how well they fit together.
Read it early this morning and loved it. Very clever.
Thanks, Phlegmmy!
Wasn't that just the best?
Babs - By all means, thank YOU!
leazwell - I wish situations like that simply didn't happen, but it was profound to read what it's like to be in that situation. I had a terror-ride with a childish, reckless driver, and it totally put the fear in me - knew I could be dead in an instant. The thing about these posts that really spoke to me was the way emergency-workers are reminded of their own children as they are picking up the broken pieces of other peoples' kids. Heartbreaking. We are so indebted to the people who do the hard thing and work in these fields.
matt - Again, thank you!
lainy - it WAS inspired, wasn't it? I think some paper publication should pick it up and print it.
ambulance driver - I thank you, too. Thanks to all three of you for taking the time to give this insight into your experience.
tam - fantastic. Brilliantly written. It's so important for us to have gratitude for the folks who hold it together when everything goes pear-shaped.
Seriously: the heroes in this world are guys like Don Gwinn; teachers who really care about their charges learning something, and, in this case happens to also be a positive male role model for their children.
I want all teachers' pay, across the board, to be doubled.* It's too important.
*But then, set the bar high, and hold the standard up while high-quality applicants try to reach it. (More will, if you offer that higher pay.)
I posted a follow-up post on Perspectives-- I found out what happened to Tony.
--Matt G
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