National EMS Week

 This week is National EMS Week.  In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners of all kinds.  It is designed to honor those who dedicate themselves to providing pre-hospital medical care.  The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in partnership with the National Associations of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) sponsors National EMS Week.

 “OK,” you say.  So what?  Just this.  There are lots of National Whatever Days and Weeks.  Many of them are rather quirky, such as National Cherry Cobbler Day, or National Notebook Day.  Some, however, promote legitimate and deserving issues and events…not that cherry cobbler doesn’t deserve at least some kind of recognition…  This is one of those.

 Having been an EMS provider in a past life, I know that I didn’t do it for the money, the recognition, or the fame.  I did it because there was a need and I thought I could help fill that need.  Little did I know when I first became certified in 1990 that I would obtain through EMS service the wealth of experience and memories that are now mine.  Nor could I have guessed that I, along with my co-workers, would be making a huge difference in the lives of many.  There were days when I was on top of the world after serving in some way, and days that I would have just wanted to chuck it all into the dumpster because of a bad medical outcome, a horrendous wreck that we worked, or someone dying in spite of all we could do.

 I served in my home town…the place where I was born and grew up.  I knew most of those who needed us.  I knew most of their families.  They were friends and sometimes even relatives.  It was a privilege to serve them in their time of need, but it was also very difficult at times to serve them knowing that their lives would never again be as they were because of a stroke, heart attack, or traumatic injury.  More than once I recall taking a stroke or fall victim out of their house to the ambulance waiting in the street, with that victim’s spouse following along behind us with a small bag in hand filled with a change of clothes, medications, and perhaps other items they thought they might need during the emergency room exam and hospitalization.  I knew that the one we were transporting would never be able to live at home again…never be able to walk again…never be able to have it be as it always had been.  Yet the loving spouse following along behind with a small bag of clothing wasn’t aware of that…hoping and thinking about a short hospital stay, then back home to things as they always were.

 I also think of the ones…and one in particular…we picked up in his apartment who had a ruptured aneurism.  The signs of aneurism were clear, and the emergency room diagnosis confirmed it.  He was bleeding to death, and there was nothing we could do.  We couldn’t get him somewhere where that kind of surgical procedure was performed soon enough.  That medical service would have been an hour away by ambulance.  He passed peacefully in a hospital room about 20 minutes after the diagnosis.  His daughter was able to see him a few minutes before his passing.

 I had the privilege of being present during that holy time when many took their last breath.  I performed CPR more times than I can count, both on the ambulance as well as at the hospital where I had a day job.  I’ve witnessed new life making its appearance in the world.  I’ve comforted a wife, mother, or son as their loved one was taken away in the ambulance.  I’ve been present when a loved one wanted to view the body of a deceased spouse or family member.  I’ve responded to emergency situations such as multiple automobile accidents, structure fires, and “code blue” situations.  I’ve helped medically in the emergency room, X Ray, physical therapy, in patient rooms and elsewhere.  The range of experience I’ve had has been incredible as well as incredibly satisfying and emotionally heart-wrenching.

 I don’t want to go through any of that again…I’m done.  And I’m at peace with that.  However, I wouldn’t take a million dollars in place of the experiences and memories that time in my life provided.  The sound of sirens and the flashing red and white lights still stir up a little adrenalin from time to time.  They also stir up memories of not so long ago when my younger body could jump out of bed at 2am, slip on clothes, run outside to my vehicle and drive to the ambulance garage in less than 5 minutes.  Those days are long gone.

 Yes, it’s National EMS Week.  Take a moment this week to honor those who serve and have served.  And pray for their safety and their mental as well as physical health and wellness.

 Blessings.

That "Dignity & Respect" Thing

Good morning !  Let’s hope you haven’t been washed away by all the rain in the central part of the country.  We really did need the rain here, though.   We’ve been in a mini-drought, and the two-day off-and-on rain has really been a good soaker.

 I don’t like to talk politics on social media or in this venue.  What I’m about to say here is about as close to politics as I’ll come.  I’ll begin with some what many would call “introductory” material, which will help out later on in the video.

 We’ve all heard the expression, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”  The meaning of that saying is clear…you can make and keep more friends by being respectful and treating people with dignity than you can by criticizing and putting others down.  People wish to be, and should be validated as human beings worthy of being treated with kindness and respect.

 I know that it is sometimes difficult to do that, especially with others who may not understand the Golden Rule…treating others the way they would like to be treated.  We may also have difficulty being respectful and dignified when we are interacting with someone who may hold differing views on religion, child-rearing, hot-button issues such as immigration or abortion rights, politics in general, and a host of other issues wherein differing viewpoints are the norm.  And the “dignity and respect” treatment may not always be the thing that smooths out relationships…sometimes, it just doesn’t work that way.  But generally, the old axiom is true.  Generally, one really can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.

 We Americans tend to typecast people of varying viewpoints and vocations into one huge lump.  For example, we have a basic mistrust of used car sales people, lawyers, insurance sales people, and politicians.  We tend to lump all lawyers into one box…all politicians into one box…all used car sales people into one box…all insurance sales people…into one box.  Of course, when one really thinks about it, one knows that not all politicians, for instance, should go into the same box with the label of crooked, power-hungry, money-grabbing.  Yes, there certainly are some who are those things.  But there are many who are sincerely and honorably serving, trying to do the best they can to make their corner of the world a better place.

 Politicians are human beings.  They have feelings.  They have aspirations.  They have families and friends.  They’re people.  And as people, they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  Name-calling, non-constructive criticizing, threatening words…should have no place in interactions with one’s political representatives.

 Some years ago, I decided to do my best to develop some kind of relationship with those who represented me on a local and state level.  I knew that those men and women were generally more available than national leaders, and often made decisions that affected me more directly than many of the national representatives.  I also knew that those people often were the recipients of hate mail, vitriolic criticism, and coarse language directed at them.  I decided to try the ”honey” approach instead.

 And, what do you know…it worked.  Over time I have developed what I consider to be good relationships with my city and county representatives as well as those who represent me on the state level.  I have met one-on-one several times with many of them.  We’ve had lunch and have been able to talk over the issues of the day.  My emails to them are read, considered, and given a respectful answer.  My phone calls are answered and we’re able to talk with each other.  Our conversations sometimes betray a frustration with the way things are, but we are able to work past those times and continue the communication with each other.  The honey works.

 Try it some time.  Reach out to your elected representative on a city, county, or state level.  Take some time to develop a relationship.  Be respectful.  Be supportive.  Be informed on the issue you want to discuss.  Find some common ground to begin from.  State your opinions based on facts and non-biased research…not alternate facts, slanted statistics, or hearsay.  Listen to their responses.  Thank them for their time and for their service.  Be genuine.  You may be surprised at how far a little kindness and respect will go.

 Then take those lessons on treating other people and apply them to all of your interactions with others.  Your friends, relatives, neighbors…the check out person at the store…the clerk who is renewing your car registration, and others.  I think you’ll find it a much better and more satisfying way to live.

 Blessings.