EMT Weekend

This weekend I had the pleasure of working three events. The first event on Saturday was for the Arizona Senior Olympics. I was there for the track events. I was amazed at the ages (50-94) and the athletic ability of these folks. They ran from 50 yard dashes through 1650 yard run.
I had a great time meeting these seniors and listening to there stories. I was also impressed with a few of the volunteers that were there to help. These volunteers were from the local high school. It was great fun watching them realise that life did not end at twenty. The best part was when a few of the high school girls admitted to me their disappointment that "the EMT was not hot ". The Senior Olympians responded to them that I was the hottest EMT they have ever seen.
Made me smile. I guess it is all about perspective.
I finished with the seniors at one and then on to the Paintball Championships at two.
This was a very different event in terms of power and aggressiveness. There were not to many shooters over 30 (and you should have seen the welts after they were finished "OUCH"). Though when you looked at both groups in terms of competitiveness they were the same. They all worked hard, they all wanted to win. Though the Paintball games were a bit messier. Showers of fine colored mist would fly over my head. Slow moving paint balls would fly around, some exploding, some bouncing off my shoes. It was a colorful day.
My second day was spent with the Senior Olympians again. This time the Swimming Events.
It was a beautiful day by the pool. I again was amazed at the athletic ability of these folks. Some of the seniors could barley walk. Oh, but to see them in the water. They were young again, they could move as if they were children. I could truly see the years disappear.
Best of all ,with three events, there were only two injuries, just bumps and abrasions. I think I have one of the only jobs where you study, practice, and take classes to better your skills, only to hope you never have to use them.

Husband Left Wife on Floor for 10 Weeks Before She Died

This is a sad story.
I am not sure if the husband should face charges.
I have worked with a lot of senior citizens. Most often they only ask for help when it is too late or someone else intervenes. They have been taking care of themselves for so long that they often don't recognise the need for help.

http://foxnews.com/story/0,2933,490857,00.html

This man stated his wife did not want outside help. He stated that he expected her to get up in her own time. He continued to feed her, clean her and give her her medications. It sounds as if they were both in denile. My heart goes out to them.

Been there...bought the t-shirt.

Yes, I bought this t-shirt. I love the art work.
Check out the link to find more original art tees.

"RED" - Animals, Violence, Parody T-shirt by Kneil Melicano

# 1 Kidnapping Capitial of The USA

Once again Arizona is living up to it's new title.

"Police rescued 16 immigrants who were being held against their will inside a small woodworking business in a rundown Phoenix warehouse, where three workers were making cabinets as police arrived on Monday morning. " per az central.com

This time it is a bit different because the victims were being held in the back of a business, not in a private home.
The good news, this time, is that all being held were rescued safe and unhurt.

What is happening here ,is that people in other countries are paying for a coyote (human smuggler) to get them into the United States. When they get here they are not released. They are held for ransom. Most often, even if the ransom is paid, those being held are killed. I have been called to a few of these scenes. We are brought in after a family member has paid the ransom and believes they are picking up their loved one, only to find one or more dead bodies in the house. It is a horrible crime and even worse, no one wants to talk because they are afraid of the coyotes coming after them.

I have seen the heartbreak these kidnapping & murders bring to a family and their communities. We have to find a way to stop this.

I am not a fan of people coming to this country illegally. This "new business" is one of the products of working against the law. I understand the want of a better life. The need to do better for your family. What I will never understand is how people (coyotes in this case) can do the heartless things they do. No mater how these people got here, they still deserve to be treated as human.
As heartbreaking as worknig these scenes will always be, I will continue to do my part.