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02/22/2005 01:30:10 PM · #1 |
It was only four days, but four days with no computer and DPC seems like a long time! We ventured down to Palm Springs and Orange County and encountered nothing but rain, snarled traffic, car accidents, bored teenagers, and no Internet connection where we stayed. But on the way home my husband said this, and it is extremely unlike him usually - that maybe we were meant to go down there for one reason only - so I could be walking along that sidewalk at that moment and possibly be what saved one man's life that day. An epilectic began going into a seizure at his desk in a real estate office right as we were passing and everyone else thought he was in an angry rage or something. I went back for another look and I my instincts were right - and he was now on the floor foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back, fists flailing. It is a terrifying thing to witness. His co-worker dialed 911 and told me he'd had a heart attack a few months ago. She was too terrified to get near him, so my husband went outside and started asking if anyone was a doctor. I thought this man was going to die there, but I kept talking to him and holding him and checking his pulse - and finally got him on his side so he wouldn't choke. He was twice my size, so it seemed to take forever. But all of a sudden, he was able to breath a tiny bit. I was told later that if I hadn't gotten him off his back when I did he most likely wouldn't be with us now. I got a chance to see him before the paramendics finally took him away about a half-hour later, and while I will never know his name, I will never, ever forget the connection I felt with him for those moments. It is probably the most horrific thing you can ever watch a humnan body go through, but all you see during those meoments is a human fighting for survival. So I guess it was a great vacation after all.
BTW, if anyone was interested, during the time I was gone, my Pink entry was approved as a DPC Print, also. 
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02/22/2005 01:31:43 PM · #2 |
WOW what a great story and talk about being in the right place at the right time!
AND congrats on the print! |
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02/22/2005 01:33:23 PM · #3 |
Unsung heros are the best kind of heros. Way to go. :)
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02/22/2005 01:34:39 PM · #4 |
| Wow! Thanks for the heroics (and for NOT taking pictures). ;-) |
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02/22/2005 01:41:00 PM · #5 |
Great story, Kylie. Thanks for posting.
I was once on the freeway immediately behind a horrible accident where a motorcycle weaving between lanes clipped a car and went down. I stopped right behind him, got out and ran to him, and was holding him in my arms when he died. No helmet. I know exactly what you're talking about, that connection is VERY real...
Robt.
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02/22/2005 01:46:45 PM · #6 |
Kylie,
Great story and I hope the man is okay. We are so quick to jump to conclusions about people...I'm thankful you took that second look. Who knows how many children or grandchildren and loved ones are thankful you were there that day. |
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02/22/2005 01:51:16 PM · #7 |
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02/22/2005 01:51:42 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Kylie:
BTW, if anyone was interested, during the time I was gone, my Pink entry was approved as a DPC Print, also. |
Thanks for your story and you did a grate job :)
Icerock |
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02/22/2005 01:58:47 PM · #9 |
Good for you Kylie.
My wife has Epilepsy, so I know first hand the fear you feel the first time you see someone have a Tonic Clonic aka Generalized seizure or Grand Mal - from what you described that's likely the variety it was - most people don't know but there are many seizure types - not all as frightening as the one you described.
For those who would like to learn more about Epilepsy here's a link to an organizatiom my wife is a board member of: //www.nfld.net/epilepsy/ Who knows, you could be somebodys' hero, just like Kylie was, if you know what to do. Again, kudos to you Kylie. :)
Cheers,
Owen
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02/22/2005 02:07:50 PM · #10 |
My husband has a seizure disorder, one of the many remnants of a horrific car accident a few years ago. His seizures are now under control for the most part with medication, but before they were controlled, he had two Grand Mal seizures out in public, both without me there. Both times, if it were not for the quick thinking and unselfish nature of an innocent bystander, I'm pretty certain that I could be a widowed single mother now. Thanks for helping someone else's husband, or father, or friend.
PS...Your print should do well. That shot is so pretty!
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02/22/2005 02:07:51 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by orussell:
Good for you Kylie.
My wife has Epilepsy, so I know first hand the fear you feel the first time you see someone have a Tonic Clonic aka Generalized seizure or Grand Mal - from what you described that's likely the variety it was - most people don't know but there are many seizure types - not all as frightening as the one you described.
For those who would like to learn more about Epilepsy here's a link to an organizatiom my wife is a board member of: //www.nfld.net/epilepsy/ Who knows, you could be somebodys' hero, just like Kylie was, if you know what to do. Again, kudos to you Kylie. :)
Cheers,
Owen |
Thanks for thelink. While I am unpacking and doing housework, I was also bringing up Google searches to learn more about it. I used to know a bit more - I worked in hospitals, mostly psychiatric, for years and was familiar with some of the classifications, but I have forgotten a lot of it. I guess the instincts stayed though.
That is what I was trying to say, though. I wasn't a hero at all. I just hope that people will listen to their instincts, and stop and try to help when they can. Like I said, I will feel forever connected to that man, and the one treasure I brought home from an otherwise not-so-great trip is the thought that maybe I touched a life in a truly menaingful way. Please, folks, read up if you have a moment and be willing to help if at all possible.
I hope your wife will always have the help she needs if that moment were to happen.
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02/22/2005 02:10:06 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
My husband has a seizure disorder, one of the many remnants of a horrific car accident a few years ago. His seizures are now under control for the most part with medication, but before they were controlled, he had two Grand Mal seizures out in public, both without me there. Both times, if it were not for the quick thinking and unselfish nature of an innocent bystander, I'm pretty certain that I could be a widowed single mother now. Thanks for helping someone else's husband, or father, or friend.
PS...Your print should do well. That shot is so pretty! |
Thanks, Laurie! I guess that is what I am thankful for - that I was able to do the right thing and think quickly when it mattered. I am happy that people were there for you and your husband when you needed it.
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02/22/2005 02:10:40 PM · #13 |
| That's incredibly brave. It's nice to know there's people like you out there. |
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02/22/2005 02:13:03 PM · #14 |
Wow Kyle. What else can I say?
It's a pleasure to share this planet with you. Random acts of kindness do not go unnoticed BTW.
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02/22/2005 02:29:44 PM · #15 |
Kylie,
As a former Fire Fighter I can say unequivically that you ARE a HERO. There are no if's and's or but's about it. You may not think you're a hero but that man is alive because you helped at a time in his life that nobody else would. You are more the hero because of the fact that you are not a trained EMT and as such were not obligated to help. Y
ou saw someone in peril and jumped in with both feet. That is the definition of a hero in my book, and that is you.
I thank you for your selflessness, and I know that man and his family would too.
Message edited by author 2005-02-22 14:29:58. |
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02/22/2005 02:33:19 PM · #16 |
| Wow Kylie, that's amazing. Lucky for him someone with a kind heart was nearby in his time of need. Too many people would have stood and watched thinking "what can I do?". Instead you DID what you could and that made all the difference. |
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02/22/2005 02:57:51 PM · #17 |
you were most definately supposed to be walking past that office. There is no doubt in my mind. I am so sure his family are so grateful to you. At the same time i am sure it shook you up.
A friend of ours was out fishing in a little boat (something he normally doesnt do) when he saw a other little boat overturned. He said to his wife,"there is someone under that". When they went to go and check sure enough there was a man and he was so close to death. They immediately started CPR and it just wasnt working. Nothing was working he was gone. Until John yelled out God do something. The man started choking and he is now fine. No brain damage or nothing. I do totally believe that people are on this planet for several reasons and yours happened to be saving that mans life that day.(((((hugs))))) Lisa |
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02/22/2005 03:10:36 PM · #18 |
Kylie, that was such a selfless thing that you did for that man, and I'm sure that he'll never forget your act of kindness, even if you don't know each other's names.
and Robert, I couldn't imagine being in your situation. That must have left a mark on your heart.
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02/22/2005 03:12:49 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
Great story, Kylie. Thanks for posting.
I was once on the freeway immediately behind a horrible accident where a motorcycle weaving between lanes clipped a car and went down. I stopped right behind him, got out and ran to him, and was holding him in my arms when he died. No helmet. I know exactly what you're talking about, that connection is VERY real...
Robt. |
Amazing, isn't it?
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02/22/2005 04:56:46 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Kylie:
It was only four days, but four days with no computer and DPC seems like a long time! We ventured down to Palm Springs and Orange County and encountered nothing but rain, snarled traffic, car accidents, bored teenagers, and no Internet connection where we stayed. But on the way home my husband said this, and it is extremely unlike him usually - that maybe we were meant to go down there for one reason only - so I could be walking along that sidewalk at that moment and possibly be what saved one man's life that day. An epilectic began going into a seizure at his desk in a real estate office right as we were passing and everyone else thought he was in an angry rage or something. I went back for another look and I my instincts were right - and he was now on the floor foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back, fists flailing. It is a terrifying thing to witness. His co-worker dialed 911 and told me he'd had a heart attack a few months ago. She was too terrified to get near him, so my husband went outside and started asking if anyone was a doctor. I thought this man was going to die there, but I kept talking to him and holding him and checking his pulse - and finally got him on his side so he wouldn't choke. He was twice my size, so it seemed to take forever. But all of a sudden, he was able to breath a tiny bit. I was told later that if I hadn't gotten him off his back when I did he most likely wouldn't be with us now. I got a chance to see him before the paramendics finally took him away about a half-hour later, and while I will never know his name, I will never, ever forget the connection I felt with him for those moments. It is probably the most horrific thing you can ever watch a humnan body go through, but all you see during those meoments is a human fighting for survival. So I guess it was a great vacation after all.
BTW, if anyone was interested, during the time I was gone, my Pink entry was approved as a DPC Print, also. |
You're a true humanitarian. It just goes to show us all that you don't have to feed starving orphans, or change the world to be a hero. This near exact thing happened to me when I was a teenager. A friend of mine and I were window shopping for guitars in a local music store. My friend was an epileptic and had not taken his medication. He seized up inside the store. The employees were clueless as what to do. My now wife (then girlfriend) Saradee was waiting outside. I have to say I was right with the staff. I had no idea what to do. My wife sprung into action! She remembered her CPR training, and kept her level head. She place MY wallet in his mouth after mugging me for it (she had to as I was motionless and scared) and layed his head in her lap until paramedics got there. They checked him out, gave him his meds and went on their way. Needless to say I relate on how scary it can be, but know not all people are made heros.
Joe
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02/22/2005 05:01:39 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by magicshutter:
Originally posted by Kylie:
It was only four days, but four days with no computer and DPC seems like a long time! We ventured down to Palm Springs and Orange County and encountered nothing but rain, snarled traffic, car accidents, bored teenagers, and no Internet connection where we stayed. But on the way home my husband said this, and it is extremely unlike him usually - that maybe we were meant to go down there for one reason only - so I could be walking along that sidewalk at that moment and possibly be what saved one man's life that day. An epilectic began going into a seizure at his desk in a real estate office right as we were passing and everyone else thought he was in an angry rage or something. I went back for another look and I my instincts were right - and he was now on the floor foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back, fists flailing. It is a terrifying thing to witness. His co-worker dialed 911 and told me he'd had a heart attack a few months ago. She was too terrified to get near him, so my husband went outside and started asking if anyone was a doctor. I thought this man was going to die there, but I kept talking to him and holding him and checking his pulse - and finally got him on his side so he wouldn't choke. He was twice my size, so it seemed to take forever. But all of a sudden, he was able to breath a tiny bit. I was told later that if I hadn't gotten him off his back when I did he most likely wouldn't be with us now. I got a chance to see him before the paramendics finally took him away about a half-hour later, and while I will never know his name, I will never, ever forget the connection I felt with him for those moments. It is probably the most horrific thing you can ever watch a humnan body go through, but all you see during those meoments is a human fighting for survival. So I guess it was a great vacation after all.
BTW, if anyone was interested, during the time I was gone, my Pink entry was approved as a DPC Print, also. |
You're a true humanitarian. It just goes to show us all that you don't have to feed starving orphans, or change the world to be a hero. This near exact thing happened to me when I was a teenager. A friend of mine and I were window shopping for guitars in a local music store. My friend was an epileptic and had not taken his medication. He seized up inside the store. The employees were clueless as what to do. My now wife (then girlfriend) Saradee was waiting outside. I have to say I was right with the staff. I had no idea what to do. My wife sprung into action! She remembered her CPR training, and kept her level head. She place MY wallet in his mouth after mugging me for it (she had to as I was motionless and scared) and layed his head in her lap until paramedics got there. They checked him out, gave him his meds and went on their way. Needless to say I relate on how scary it can be, but know not all people are made heros.
Joe |
Thanks, Joe. It has made me feel even more that I really was meant to be there. So many of you have people in your lives that this may have affected. You said one thing that really stood out to me - that I can't really do much to "change the world" or solve the issues. The only thing I have found that I can do and feel like it isn't hopeless is to do the proverbial "random acts of kindness" - it makes it feel a lot less hopeless knowing that someone might do the same for me when I need it someday.
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02/22/2005 05:12:07 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by Kylie:
Originally posted by magicshutter:
Originally posted by Kylie:
It was only four days, but four days with no computer and DPC seems like a long time! We ventured down to Palm Springs and Orange County and encountered nothing but rain, snarled traffic, car accidents, bored teenagers, and no Internet connection where we stayed. But on the way home my husband said this, and it is extremely unlike him usually - that maybe we were meant to go down there for one reason only - so I could be walking along that sidewalk at that moment and possibly be what saved one man's life that day. An epilectic began going into a seizure at his desk in a real estate office right as we were passing and everyone else thought he was in an angry rage or something. I went back for another look and I my instincts were right - and he was now on the floor foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back, fists flailing. It is a terrifying thing to witness. His co-worker dialed 911 and told me he'd had a heart attack a few months ago. She was too terrified to get near him, so my husband went outside and started asking if anyone was a doctor. I thought this man was going to die there, but I kept talking to him and holding him and checking his pulse - and finally got him on his side so he wouldn't choke. He was twice my size, so it seemed to take forever. But all of a sudden, he was able to breath a tiny bit. I was told later that if I hadn't gotten him off his back when I did he most likely wouldn't be with us now. I got a chance to see him before the paramendics finally took him away about a half-hour later, and while I will never know his name, I will never, ever forget the connection I felt with him for those moments. It is probably the most horrific thing you can ever watch a humnan body go through, but all you see during those meoments is a human fighting for survival. So I guess it was a great vacation after all.
BTW, if anyone was interested, during the time I was gone, my Pink entry was approved as a DPC Print, also. |
You're a true humanitarian. It just goes to show us all that you don't have to feed starving orphans, or change the world to be a hero. This near exact thing happened to me when I was a teenager. A friend of mine and I were window shopping for guitars in a local music store. My friend was an epileptic and had not taken his medication. He seized up inside the store. The employees were clueless as what to do. My now wife (then girlfriend) Saradee was waiting outside. I have to say I was right with the staff. I had no idea what to do. My wife sprung into action! She remembered her CPR training, and kept her level head. She place MY wallet in his mouth after mugging me for it (she had to as I was motionless and scared) and layed his head in her lap until paramedics got there. They checked him out, gave him his meds and went on their way. Needless to say I relate on how scary it can be, but know not all people are made heros.
Joe |
Thanks, Joe. It has made me feel even more that I really was meant to be there. So many of you have people in your lives that this may have affected. You said one thing that really stood out to me - that I can't really do much to "change the world" or solve the issues. The only thing I have found that I can do and feel like it isn't hopeless is to do the proverbial "random acts of kindness" - it makes it feel a lot less hopeless knowing that someone might do the same for me when I need it someday. |
With more people like you, who are willing to make a difference, this world just might not be doomed after all.
Thanks
Joe
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02/22/2005 05:26:34 PM · #23 |
| Kylie from a father that has a son with seizure disorders, thank you for taking the time to take that second look. See most would of walked on by, not you, you are caring as I have stated before and it goes beyond the boundaries of DPChallenge into real life. Just think because of your actions a man is a live, possibly a husband, maybe a father, or son of a living parent. You will be rewarded with a wonderful vacation beyond your expectations one day because of your kindness and caring on this vacation. You may not have taken any pictures on this vacation but you have one forever in your memory of a human in need and you helped. We here at DPC know he was in good hands while waiting on EMS. Thank you for sharing. |
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02/22/2005 07:41:06 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Kylie:
It was only four days, but four days with no computer and DPC seems like a long time! We ventured down to Palm Springs and Orange County and encountered nothing but rain, snarled traffic, car accidents, bored teenagers, and no Internet connection where we stayed. But on the way home my husband said this, and it is extremely unlike him usually - that maybe we were meant to go down there for one reason only - so I could be walking along that sidewalk at that moment and possibly be what saved one man's life that day. An epilectic began going into a seizure at his desk in a real estate office right as we were passing and everyone else thought he was in an angry rage or something. I went back for another look and I my instincts were right - and he was now on the floor foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back, fists flailing. It is a terrifying thing to witness. His co-worker dialed 911 and told me he'd had a heart attack a few months ago. She was too terrified to get near him, so my husband went outside and started asking if anyone was a doctor. I thought this man was going to die there, but I kept talking to him and holding him and checking his pulse - and finally got him on his side so he wouldn't choke. He was twice my size, so it seemed to take forever. But all of a sudden, he was able to breath a tiny bit. I was told later that if I hadn't gotten him off his back when I did he most likely wouldn't be with us now. I got a chance to see him before the paramendics finally took him away about a half-hour later, and while I will never know his name, I will never, ever forget the connection I felt with him for those moments. It is probably the most horrific thing you can ever watch a humnan body go through, but all you see during those meoments is a human fighting for survival. So I guess it was a great vacation after all.
BTW, if anyone was interested, during the time I was gone, my Pink entry was approved as a DPC Print, also. |
Way to go Kylie,sometimes getting someone into the recovery position is not easy!Your a GREAT person for helping!
Message edited by author 2005-02-22 19:41:42. |
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02/22/2005 07:43:29 PM · #25 |
Way to go! I'll expect you to submit a self portrait for the next Heroes challenge!
Regards--Neil |
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