first responders – Choosing Hope

There was a day when I had to report one of my partners on the ambulance for the way he treated a patient. It was a partner I liked a lot. Everyone liked him. I remember standing in the supervisors’ office with my palms sweating and my heart pounding in my ears. He was one of the “good ole boys.” I knew it would probably damage our good relationship, and the backlash would likely affect my relationship with other coworkers as well.

The weight of my decision was heavy, and it certainly would have been easier to not say anything at all. But I had taken an oath to do no harm. I signed up to render aid with wisdom and compassion, and watching my people be abusive and degrading in silence would have been a terrible injustice. I could have just vowed to be better than that. I could have just told him I didn’t like it. Sometimes we need more than just words though; we need action. Marches for peace are great. Changing your social media profile to support a good cause is thoughtful. But that does not actually change anything. We need to act.

Friends, speaking up and putting a foot down is a really difficult thing to do. It’s scary, and it’s risky, and it is definitely not the norm, but our nation is hurting and if someone does not start standing up I fear for the future of our “United” States. We have to be people of action. That may mean turning in your partner. It may mean confronting someone you see abusing their power. It may be saying no to that one family member’s off-colored comments. Whatever it may look like to make a stand instead of turning a blind eye, we need to be doing that.

Eventually you will not feel alone standing up for justice, because when everyone starts doing it you suddenly are not the only fish swimming upstream anymore. You have the power to turn the school around. It starts with each and every individual calling it out when they see it, and saying “no more.” We can do this. I will be there standing beside you, sweaty palms and all.

Please leave me a comment, it lets me know you’re listening!

Today I lost another Paramedic friend. I say another because it’s not the first time. I fear it will not be the last. I do not really know what to say about it, so these are the words that came to mind.

These boots are the ones that were picked out so new and shiny and untouched.

These boots are the ones that were nervously shined for the first day on the job.

These boots are the ones that got drowned in soap bubbles washing the trucks as a probie.

These boots are the ones that held nervous feet running their first call.

These boots are the ones that climbed endless stairs to bring your loved ones down to be cared for.

These boots are the ones that got cuts and scuffs from asphalt and rocks and ice and twisted metal, and those darn stretcher wheels.

These boots are the ones that trudged through dry fields for hours, looking for a woman who was lost.

These boots are the ones that rested on the dash in hopes of a few minutes break on a busy shift.

These boots are the ones that were the first thing many patients looked up and saw.

These boots are the ones that crunched through broken glass to get your loved one out of the car.

These boots are the ones that stood in a homeless man’s urine as he was tenderly helped to his feet.

These boots are the ones that were polished again and again in attempt to cover the scars and scrapes.

These boots are the ones that ran an achey elbow call right after performing CPR on a baby that wasn’t coming back.

These boots are the ones that were splattered in blood as every effort was made to make it stop.

These boots are the ones that stood there while you were told we had done everything we could do.

These boots are the ones that saw far more pain and heartache and destruction in a day than most people see in their lifetime.

These boots are the ones that sit empty, still bearing the scars and scrapes that never could be erased from your heart.

Tag: first responders

Sweaty Palms and Steady Courage: The Cost of Doing What’s Right

These Boots