What Being A Paramedic Taught Me About Living, Dying, And What Really Matters
The world looks different from the back of an ambulance.
“God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” — Voltaire
***Any and all sensitive and identifying details and patient information have been removed or altered with respect to privacy***
I have not stood by watching as strangers did CPR on my son. I have never had a child, let alone had the misfortune of outliving one. I have not watched a helicopter land to take my spouse to a trauma center after a terrible accident.
I have not stared at the smoldering, gnarled pretzel that ten minutes ago had been my classic sports car, wondering what would have happened had I not decided against taking my son on the drive with me today.
I have not yet grown old. I do not need help to get out of bed or change my clothes, nor must I walk around with a urinary catheter or a PICC line or a peritoneal dialysis catheter.
I have arms, legs, eyes, and have not had to manage living without them. I have never had a heart attack, or a stroke, or sepsis, or debilitating mental illness.
