Them.

My mother has Epilepsy, and while it's well controlled with surgery and medication, it wasn't always that way. Before 2002, she had poorly controlled seizures and from time to time they would require hospitalization. When she had grand mal seizures I would sometimes have to help her if no other adults were around. I knew what to do, and was able to stay calm for the most part, but I never fully felt in control of the situation. It was always such a relief when rescue finally arrived. Let them handle it, I would say to myself, and I would go outside, trusting the EMS team fully to manage the situation.

Last year my dad got very sick. Twice in one week I had to call rescue to our house to take him to the hospital. I felt better prepared to help than I did when my mother was having seizures, but still, when EMS arrived, I stepped back and let them handle it. Let them handle it, I thought to myself, and I went in another room.

Now I struggle with the question that needs to be answered sooner or later. Am I ready to be "them"?

I plan to put in my application to become one of "them" in a couple of months. But am I ready? Can I be one of the ones who must stay in that room with that person in their moment of crisis while their family members think Let them handle it, and stand outside?

I sure hope so.