Those of us who provide care in the street knowingly expose ourselves to situations that most other people could never envision being in, let alone trying to perform under such duress. Most days, we enjoy what we do. We develop gallows humor around our work — severed penis stories, anyone? — and by and large we do our job without recognition and public awareness. Which most of us are quite happy to do.
Then calls like these happen, and prove that we too are human. We grieve alongside the family and friends, and often wonder if there was anything else we could have done to alter the outcomes. The things we see are haunting, sad reminders of just how bad things can get in an instant.
That’s why it’s so upsetting when first responders who need help from professionals struggle because help is not available or easily accessible. The fund designed to support Newtown responders is underfunded, and officials worry that if there are more requests, there won’t be enough money to support them all. How frustrating would that be?
Over the past few years, it feels like we have been working our way through one tragic mess after another. Donation exhaustion is real; I get it. But we must not forget to help out the folks who are charged with helping out the community when disaster strikes. We perform our duties willingly, but even heroes need help.
