The following is a discussion held on my site regarding Paramedics and whether they are heroes or not.
Ok…When Christopher, my husband, went to the coast to help with Hurricaine Gustov..My Red Bubble friends were wonderful…offering prayers and/or kind words of encouragement and praise...now, I have a question for you to ponder…It’s about heroes…...This is about your thoughts regarding everyday heroes…This is why and where my thoughts are coming from….I have told Christopher, as a paramedic he is a hero…he completely disagrees...he says it is his job for which he is highly trained. (Paramedics here go to school the same amount of time as RN’s 3 years and to keep their certification they need 72 hours every two years of continuing education) He maintains he is not a hero. But here are some examples of situations that he’s had to deal with…these are not actual cases, but they do represent situations that I hear about all the time….It’s a bit graphic…
Ok, take a trauma, motor vehicle crash,4 teens are in the car trapped upside down in a creek…..one is not breathing, one is so cut up you can’t tell if it is male or female, two you can’t get to at all, as they are submerged…....When you arrive, there are two of you, a paramedica and a basic…...how would you look at that paramedic when you were brought out of that car….
You’re a mother and your car crashes and you’re trapped…..your 13 month old is in a car seat in the back, and it is quiet…..and you are in the dark, trapped….
Your father collapses while eating supper…..he’s breathing shallowly, and unconscious.
Your chest feels like it is about to explode, you can’t get your breath, it seems to go on forever….
Your two year old child goes missing…..and you find her in the pool,floating.
I’m so sorry I was so graphic, but if you can’t picture it, really feel the panic and the shock, how can you understand it…maybe you think these are extreme cases…I promise you they are not….they are more common than I can possibly tell you…ask any fast paced ER Trauma nurse.. or cop..or fireman.
Ok, now back to the question…because he is paid to do this, is he not a hero? He told me today that if a person is trapped under a fallen building and the grocer down the street ran in and pulled him out…that would be a hero…he was not trained to do it, he didn’t have to do it and he did it anyway….Oh, I agree that is a hero…
I asked a veteren flight paramedic turned flight nurse what he thought, and he said this.Yes, the paramedic is a hero, even though he was paid for the job,
if he
cared enough to do his job to the best of his ability...Wow, I like that, because, of the word
care…maybe
that is where the hero is, in the word
care....
So, how do you feel…do I tell Christopher he is wrong and indeed, yes, he is a hero to those who might not be here without him? Or is he just a really well trained, nice guy doing a job….
Irene Burdell
I personally think people like Christophe are heros , but it is their job and they get paid for it . So he is right by saying he isn’t, in a way , because that is what he is trained to do.
Some one passing an accident who risks their own life to save a life without any training in my eyes is a real hero.
Ginger Barritt replied
I see your point Irene!!! I absolutely agree that the untrained spontaneous person is an amazing hero…to risk for a stranger is amazing….
Maximus
Ginger, personally I think paramedics are HEROES despite the fact that it is their job. I have needed their help on two occasions where my life was in the balance and at least 3 other times where it wasn’t but still very stressful. e.g. I feel over in our lounge room early this year. As a disabled person, such is my disability that I cannot get up unaided and SWMBOd ( my darling wife) is not able to get me up so we called, she called, for an ambulance. This guy & girl were so lovely to me, not only did they get me up but spent the time to make sure I was OK. My point is they went on every occasion above and beyond the call of duty. So for me YES paramedics are MOST assuredly heroes. Tell him to just accept it, or I’ll do something drastic. :)
Ginger Barritt replied
LOL….Thanks, Max….I really do agree with you 100% When you are scared and someone calm takes over and talks to you and brings you back, either literally…or emotionally…he’s a hero..I can tell you I’ve seen him carry a child in in his arms…or kneel in front of a grieving person to give information and emotional support….I think he’s a hero…
Irene Burdell
I am lucky I have never had the need for a paramedic or a firefighter , but I am sure if I had I would call them TRUE heros.
Ginger Barritt replied
Irene…I hope you never need one ! You are a sweetheart and I hope you stay healthy til you’re 121!!!
Lori Peters
I think that heroes come in many forms. A surgeon from France operated on my grandson’s heart and that is why my grandson is alive. He got paid, quite handsomely, but is still a hero. A hero can be someone who encourages someone who feels like giving up. I would say that all paramedics, fireman and especially our troops are heros. Anyone who goes out of their way to help someone in need is a hero. xxxxx
Ginger Barritt replied
So, Lori…we go back to the “care” word, right? To care enough to be the best you can be at the time of anothers need…...
Maximus
no question about it, when I was laying on the roadside having parted company from my Harley, my left leg turning at thr knee in the wrong direction… I said to the paramedic cutting my jeans off “well at least I have clean underwear on” his response – not from where I’m seated. :) heroes with humour… :)
Ginger Barritt replied
Max, you made me laugh and cry at the same time…..Bless your heart…..I’m still doing both….
Lori Peters
Yes. Heroes are people who care and take actions to show that they care.
Ginger Barritt replied
Lori, did you read Max’s 2nd entry? I love that guy.
Lori Peters
Too funny. I remember my mother always telling us to wear clean underwear in case we were in an accident. hehe
Ginger Barritt replied
Yeah, as Max can testify…if you see a Mac truck coming straight at you, first you say it, then you do it!!!
midzing
your son is definately a hero,,,I disagree with Irenes comment, just because he gets paid for his job, therefore in Irenes eyes he isnt a hero,,,I am sure if Irene saw and witnessed what paramedics do on a daily basis, she would surely change her mind,,In australia, paramedics are now assaulted by drunks, and addicts on a regular basis,, Some of our paramedics work 24 hours straight,,,(we have a chronic shortage of highly trained paramedics in this country)... I get so angry at comments like Irenes made,,, because heroes,, are people like your son,,, so if we follow Irenes comment, then footballers/sports people arent heroes,,because they get paid for it… the real heroes for me in this society, are ones that make a DIFFERENCE….and yes even if you are paid for it, if you only save one life, to me you are a hero!!
Ginger Barritt replied
Hey darling!!! I really don’t think Irene meant any harm at all, but to your point…..You are so right….they are in danger everytime they go on a call…....some families are a bit rough….and if mom is having a heart attack and you as the medics have 15 or 20 highly emotional folks screaming hysterically ..it can get a bit scary!!!
FrozenMoments
I think Paramedics are heros, it doesn’t matter wether they get paid or not, they are saving lives, which is more precious than anything else. My cousin is a paramedic, and I have talked with her and I know the stress of the job and how she feels going to a horrific accident. It might be their way of life, they might think that they aren’t doing anything special, but one life saved if a gift that few can give.
Ginger Barritt replied
Thank you, sweetie…and thank your cousin for us…we do appreciate what they do, even though we may forget to say so….
FrozenMoments
Thank you, I will.
I think the hardest thing she had to face was a car crash soon after she started which a man from her high school class years was killed in, they were the first people on the scene.
Ginger Barritt replied
Oh, bless her….that is one of the greatest fears..that you will come upon your family or friends…..The worst thing for Christopher (who is my husband not my son!!!) is children…that is always hard.
George Swann
Ginger your husband is correct, I have worked as a Technician in an Operating Theatre since 1972 and have witnessed almost every type of horror under the sun. We do the job because it is our chosen profession, I admit it takes a certain type of person to do the job and we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t find it satisfying and fulfilling, but we are not heroes. The real heroes to me are the patients who survive, and their families who have to rebuild their lives after the horrors and tragedies that have happened to them, this may take weeks or the rest of their lives. Also the families who have to somehow carry on after the horror of losing a loved, to me they are the real Heroes. People have said to me that they don’t know how we do it because they couldn’t, but as I said it is our chosen profession and it has always given me tremendous job satisfaction knowing that we have helped people at the time they need it most.
Ginger I would imagine that your husband would feel the same, and thank you for the kind comments and obvious support you give to your husband, I am sure that he greatly appreciates it. We carry on where your husband leaves off, and I regard it as a privilege to be part of this fantastic team.
Ginger Barritt replied
George, repectfully, you don’t get a vote…you know why? Because you all are way to wonderful….I really don’t think you realize how truly wonderful you are…...My partner her in the transfer center is the flight nurse I was refering to…he has 27 years wrapped up in pre hospital and emerency care…We have decided that it’s like this….It take a hero paid or not, to see the horrors they see prehospital make good decisions in the field and get them back alive to the ER where the heros there take over and put the pieces together as well as they can as fast as they can get them up to the heros in the surgery who then do their jobs to the best of their ability and send them out to the nursing angels who finally send them home to their families…You are also correct in that battling back from a trauma, or M I or CVA is the next heroic struggle…..One of my best friends, a tough veteren ER trauma nurse who 12 years ago lost a 15 month old daughter to murder is upstairs with her husband in our ICU….He had a crash and was intebated on the scene..he has a tramatic brain injury, a brain shear, there is actually hope for him, he recognized her this afternoon and became to excited…had to drug him back down…he also has two injuries to his spine with no spinal cord involvement….but she is saying that everyone from the paramedic who got him intebated on up to our fantastic neurosurgeon have wings of gold….cause this is her husband and without each person doing their job….he would be dead..no doubt about it…
FrozenMoments
Yeah, it tears her heart to see the children. I could never ever do her job.
I think what the flight paramedic says is true, a person could do that job and turn of all emotion after awhile, and not care. Even then those who he saved would still regard him as a hero, but in others eyes? If someone really cares about people like Christophor must, or my cousin, then I think they are true heroes.
I remeber in April my brother and his best friend (who happens to be another cousin, we have a BIG family) where wrestling on the lawn when my cousin fell akwardly onto his arm, and started screaming in pain. We took one look at the angle his elbow was in and the agony on his face and rang the ambulance station. When they arrived the kind paramedic immediently calmed him down with a joke, and took a look at his arm. He remained positive all the time, even though out of earshot from my cousin he told us he was worried that there was a really serious break at the elbow. They took him to the closest hospital (over 1 hour away). The paramedic gave us his phone number so later on we could ring him to let him know how the arm went.
After some x-rays it was determined the elbox had a bad fracture but not a full break. The paramedic was so happy and pleased when we rang and told him, I belive he was a true hero. A few days later we went round and thanked hima nd gave him some chocolates. Even though it was a small thing it meant alot to us that he cared.
chasingsooz
True heroes just do without the need for praise. They do things on instinct and with a genuine concern for the welfare of the other person. they do it because it is the right thing to do at the time … they do it without thought of a reward.
Your Christopher is a true hero … so are you and the world needs these heros like the two of you.
Ginger Barritt replied
I think you hit the nail on the head, sooz and I could crawl through this internet and kiss you…...I guess that everyone can be a hero everyday for someone…even if it is just looking at someone in the eye and making human contact…The world can be a lonely place…...You can choose to be a shining light, you can choose to only look at the evil in this world and let it turn you into a bitter angry hatefilled person, or you can do something every day, without expectation or even notice, and you can truly change someones life… You hit it dead on….
Lori Peters
George- you chose a profession where you would be helping people. I say you are a hero. I have spent enough time in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit with my grandson to know heros when I see them. The Flight for Life people who transported him to Denver were so patient and kind as we cried when they took him away. Two were paramedics and one a nurse. These paramedics were also helocopter pilots. I will never forget them.
Ginger Barritt replied
And the grandmothers who support and love and pray….Lori, George is right there too…you are a hero.
Lori Peters
sooz- you are so right. Beautifully said.
George Swann
Ginger you are such a sweetie!!!!!!!
Ginger Barritt replied
I love you too.
Lori Peters
Thank you, Ginger. Everytime I see my grandson smile I think of the people who made it possible.
Ginger Barritt replied
I’m so glad I started this…I’m squalling like a child…from Max’s beautiful humor..to the beautiful support of sooz…to all the others who have so much love in the and you Lori…this proves just how much love there is in this world…there are still people with love, and ethics, and joy, who are willing to do the right thing whether anyone is looking or not….who are selfless….like George…...he’s not saying ….Hey…look at me…know how many people I’ve helped live? No he does what he does and goes home and kisses his wife… That’s my kind of world…..
Lori Peters
The good people are around, Ginger. They are just not as noisy as the mean ones.
Ginger Barritt replied
I guess that is the point!
Yool
A hero in my eyes!!!!!
Ginger Barritt replied
Thank you Yool!!!
iamnirak
Hi Ginger
Paramedics are amazing people definately, I have just completed my update to my senior level 2 1st aid that i need to work in the disability field and i wouldnt want to be doing first aid for long, i would hope those amazing people would be by my side fairly quickly after calling 000 for the amblance or the mica crew. Especially seeing as i deal with people that have seizures.
There incredible and they deserve all the praise that they get.
cheers Kaz
Ginger Barritt replied
Ahhhh, Good luck to you!!! and Thank you.
hilarydougill
Refardless of whether he gets paid or not, he is a hero for doing it, he doesn’t have to do it, he chooses to because he is a good and caring and compassionate man, and in my eyes a hero,because he also puts his life on the line, , he is also very modest, which is a virtue in all people. So don’t tell him he is wrong, just love him to bits. and be grateful you have him. hugsxxx
Ginger Barritt replied
Oh, Hilary, if he only knew how much….
CazzieCreations
Sooz said it so well!!
I totally agree..couldnt say it any better!
Is Christopher a hero and others like him?!! Hell Yeah!!!
Ginger Barritt replied
And there is the star of the SHOW!!! Better late than never, huh, ELF!!!!
CazzieCreations
LOL shuffles footies sowwyyy !! me bad lol but i here now !!!
hey hunny bunny!!!
Ginger Barritt
Hey, Darlin…you missed all the crying!!! I got emotional over all this outpouring…..Can you believe Christopher doesn’t think he’s a hero…he was quite emphatic about it!!! What have you been doing…is it early or late!!!
CazzieCreations
Ohhh i miss all the excitement!! and I just brought tissues too! pink ones!!
Well thats why hes a TRUE hero! as he doesnt think he is!!! Bless him and you Hunny Bunny!!! ((huggles))
its 7.55pm
Ginger Barritt replied
Did you read Max’s post Cazzie!!!
CazzieCreations
yes I did!! Both!! I love the 2nd one!
close to home that one being a Harley chick !!
Ginger Barritt replied
Are you really?????/ That is so very cool!!!
CazzieCreations
yep will have to get Blair to post pics of her lol
Ginger Barritt replied
Oh, I will!!!
Maximus
When I suffered my stroke I was in Cambodia (I used to manage a large children’s aide project) I had laid on the bathroom floor for over 4 hours before I was found, I was not happy to be being taken to a Cambodian hospital & would have, very unChristianly, told those little paramedics to bugger off, but I could not speak, even despite the very negative energy I was giving them, they cared for me, one even held my hand in the ambo. heros, to me abso-bloody-lutely. :)
George Swann
Hello Ginger…my last word on this subject..my wife worked in the same Operating Theatre as myself for over 30 years
George Swann
Hello Ginger…my last word on this subject..my wife worked in the same Operating Theatre as myself for over 30 years and retired 6 years ago. She has never smoked, never drunk alcohol and never weighed more than 8 stone, and just over 3 years ago she had a heart attack, it is so hard at times watching her struggle, she has good days and bad days but she struggles on. Now that is who I would call my hero, me I am just doing my job.
Could I say that I have really enjoyed this thread and your husband should be really proud of you. CazzieCreations is a very funny person and really made me laugh. RB is such a wonderful site to belong to when you get a forum like this.
Ginger Barritt replied
George…absolutely correct…People like Max, who fight with such wonderful humor, and like your wife who continue to struggle…..and you, who I have, no doubt, gives her a reason to…..once again..a hero…
Ginger Barritt replied
Oh, and one more thing from me before I go to bed …I forgot to address your last paragraph…Yes…Cazzie is really special and one of the best things about RB….She’s like a force of nature!! She and Sooz and Dani and Lori..and Christopher B and Snappy LOL…the list just goes on…so when I’m faced with the downside of RB….and I get upset over the venom…....I can start a positive thread like this and look what happens…..look at the support that is shown on this page for each other…the connections are touching and wonderful…I’m ok again….
SNAPPYDAVE
heroes without medals …
Ginger Barritt replied
Yep, you are correct…..
George Swann
It is 16.15 here….I think I will make Carol and myself a lovely cup of tea and a biscuit to dunk in it….Night Night.. God Bless…...P.S..thanks for the entertainment today!!
Christopher Bi...
ginger my favorite sister, dont tell him he is a hero, just get him to rub your feet!!!! secretly thinking to yourself, my god i am with a hero…........;))) ..........cxxxxxxxx
Ginger Barritt replied
Well hello, Beautiful!!! I missed you while this was going on…..well, Christopher is in the next chair on his computer and I’m on this one …I looked at him and told him the feet thing…he looked at me as though I had three heads….sigh…..I’ll have to work on that one…!!!!
AuXillary
Personally I don’t think it really matters what label you do or don’t use to describe someone in a job like that. As long as he is doing what he loves, that should be all that matters.
Ginger Barritt replied
You are absolutely right….and that is the most important thing and the only thing that is truly important, because a persons character is a persons character….it doesn’t change with a label….........but you know what.? I know him really well…..I know things he’s had to do….He really is my hero…end!!!! LOL!!!! Thank you so much …
Christopher Bi...
you go gurl! lol. and while he is at it, get the hands done too….c xx
Ginger Barritt replied
OMG…The hands are awesome..aren’t they!!!!
DWarren
Anyone who saves a life is a hero…
