I was bored ok?? yeah that's it stupid!!

[Trish_T]

So another day in the life of the criminally insane I suppose. I am not criminal but somedays people really push my buttons...DAMN!!! Mariah decided this morning that she was going to be sick and needed to go directly to hospital. We ALWAYS call an ambulance since the last time she did this and when she was on route to VGH she stopped breathing. Now anyone in their right mind would have taken an ambulance in my situtation. So what does the attendant ask me?? "So why did you call us???" Um well I called because there isn't enough action at 7:30am in the morning so I thought I would stir it up a little rather than take my son to school...yeah that's the reason. Do I have stupid written on my forehead somewhere for pete's sake??? My child has already suffered a cardiac arrest once tyvm and I will not let that happen again if I can help it.

[scottish phantom]

k, first off you aren't stupid... so get that silly thought out of your head! You are one of the brightest, nicest ladies I know. Is mariah ok now? I was wondering how you were doing today. Is mariah doing ok? hell you should have given me a call and I would have walked up to get joel out of school for you. Don't ever let people make you question your ability to take care of your daughter/son. You know your children better than anybody on earth (nice that I can say this to somebody when it's been told to me often enough ) You know when it's time to rush and when it is time to be able to calmly wait for help. To make this long post short, you are a great mom and just a little bit insane

{you're my friend so that is proof positive on the insanity part }

[BCMommy]

Some Ambulance Attendants are morons....... When I was at the hosp theother day (you know about it) there was a disabled boy about 19yrs in there with broncitis and pnemonia and i went to use my cell phone out side and the Attendant was like I dunno why they called us they could of JUST DRIVEN them selves.. I was soooo tempted to be like and what happens if the guy stops breathing cuz he's so sick then what are they supposet o FREAKING do moron

[CanLAX]

I think you will find "morons" in every walk of life - even students believe it or not. That was a bit uncalled for. I was an attendant for many years. Spent COUNTLESS time caring for the sick and elderly.

For what its worth, we get a LOT of people calling the ambulance who don't really need it. By the same token, a LOT of people use the emergency room as their personal physician.

Just sharing my .02 cents.

[Guest]

CanLAX - While I understand your point of view.....I can assure you that Trish would only call the ambulance if she had to. And in Mariah's case 99.9% of the time, it's needed.

Having said that, I do agree with you that generalizing paramedics and ambulance attendants as "morons" is not the way to go. When my son was in hospital for 2 days before Christmas we had a couple of excellent attendants and I was so incredibly grateful for them. And you know, from talking with her, I can probably tell you that Trish is ever so grateful for the majority of them too. But as in any line of work, there are always a couple of people that can give the rest that bad rap right?

Morons was perhaps not the best choice of word, but you have to admit that amongst the hundreds of excellent attendants out there, there are those ones that aren't so great and make you feel like an idiot. Thankfully, there aren't that many.

Trish.....I hope Mariah is doing better!

[scottish phantom]

I agree with the morons jab about it being unsuited... yes there are always going to be a few disgruntled attendants and they should follow the old rule in not saying anything if you can't say anything nice.

[Trish_T]

Well said Meg! I wasn't bashing the system I was merely saying that I should not be treated like this and I have every right to be mad. Mariah's medical history files would fill my entire home probably to the ceiling leaving no room to live. Mariah is ALWAYS taken by ambulance because unlike other situtaions, Mariah's little body can not handle stress of any kind and she crashes from ok to almost at death at the drop of a dime. The thing that picked at me most was that this attendant remembered us and then had the nerve to ask why I called. Before I was asked this the attendant asked " she's post cardiac arrest right?" I said yes she is. I do not use the ER has my personal physcian at all.. when we take her in she more times than not stays in for at least a few days and it is her physician that sees her and admits her....I am entitled to the same respect and dignity as they are...

[scottish phantom]

As I said earlier, if they give you lip... just say "the reason why you called was because your daughter needed medical treatment and that is their job to ensure that she makes it to the hospital safely." And I know what you mean about the ok to scared to death in zero to 60 seconds...

[busymum]

my DH is a ambulance attendant for the bc ambulance service....not a moron though!! i say be on the safe side trish....you know whats right and when you need an ambulance, thats what they are there for...besides who would call an ambulance and pay each time if it was unnecesary!!!...hope your dd feels better...

[mel_torme_fan]

Yes there is that kind of attitude in every occupation.
It is frustrating!
They forget that they are there as a service to th public.
They are there to serve YOU, not you being an annoyance.
And obviously Trish KNOWS what to do.

I've had the same experience calling the police.
We're coached what to call in to non-emerg in our
Blockwatch orientation.
Then you call in, and they're like..."Why are you calling?"
"What do you want us to do?"
aaarrggghhhhhhhhhh
Well you're OWN staff told us to!