tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post112956608796947011..comments2023-07-18T07:27:08.516+00:00Comments on Siren Voices: his nameSpence Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-58250482601506344812015-04-17T18:44:00.776+00:002015-04-17T18:44:00.776+00:00It does help, writing these things out. It feels a...It does help, writing these things out. It feels as if something creative comes out of the experience - you make it into something, if you see what I mean!Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-64397607621856458342015-04-17T08:59:19.375+00:002015-04-17T08:59:19.375+00:00Wow, poor Peter, that was quite a powerful story. ...Wow, poor Peter, that was quite a powerful story. Just pleased he wasn't in to much pain, amazing how the body works. I just hope writing these blogs help you adjust after a trauma like that. <br /><br />It is about time you wrote a book or two though mate!! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02864079474796026070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-84917675934594067142010-05-02T11:15:26.430+00:002010-05-02T11:15:26.430+00:00Thanks Crazy N - but straight back atcha! I don...Thanks Crazy N - but straight back atcha! I don't know how you cope with your caseload! Respect to you times ten for that. At least with us, difficult as those psych cases often are, it's always a limited contact. But to make a productive intervention over a period of time - I don't know how you manage it!Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-24870064462819989682010-05-01T23:32:36.570+00:002010-05-01T23:32:36.570+00:00I don't know how you guys manage to go out and...I don't know how you guys manage to go out and deal with these kInd of situations on a regular basis. I have huge respect to ambulance crews, think they are not acknowledged enough by society.. May Peter rest in peace<br />xXxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-21095105886354933322010-04-22T18:16:34.793+00:002010-04-22T18:16:34.793+00:00Thanks Terri
It is fantastic that Blogger exists! ...Thanks Terri<br />It <i>is</i> fantastic that Blogger exists! An amazing tool - and free, too. <br />I'm typing this on a laptop in the sitting room, on a (rough) old regency table we bought from a flea market. The table dates about 1820 - I really like the idea that something from the 19th century is part of a little 21st century domestic set-up. Who'd have thought...<br /><br />I wonder how things will look when my two girls are grown up. Probably some kind of virtual environment. I can't wait! (But will I be fit enough to wear the headset / take the implant?) :0) xSpence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-52888563123982453292010-04-22T12:20:50.711+00:002010-04-22T12:20:50.711+00:00A breathtaking yet heartbreaking post Mr Kennedy. ...A breathtaking yet heartbreaking post Mr Kennedy. I am glad that modern technology gives guys like you an outlet. I have no idea how you (and your family) would cope if you weren't able to have this cathartic avenue to wander down.<br />A truly sad and sorry tale, with no happy ending :(<br />Thankyou for your writing, there are many days when you manage to remind me just how much I have, not how little.Terrinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-4605442382139131992010-04-21T08:34:19.196+00:002010-04-21T08:34:19.196+00:00hey T!
I love it on shows like ER when the ambulan...hey T!<br />I love it on shows like ER when the ambulance crew comes busting through the doors with a trolley and a team of medics hurry alongside, everyone speaking a whole bunch of acronyms really quickly. The last time I used an acronym - PPH (ante-natal thing...), the nurse asked me what the hell that was, which spoiled the effect!<br /><br />That burns job was unusually bad, and the scene did have something of a war zone about it. As it turned out, there were only 2 casualties - the resident of the flat where the fire started and one other with smoke inhalation. Imagine if they'd been a number of casualties. Doesn't bear thinking about :/ xSpence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-20528032892894239912010-04-20T15:42:05.293+00:002010-04-20T15:42:05.293+00:00Bloody hell Spence! What a situation and how wonde...Bloody hell Spence! What a situation and how wonderfully you have written about it. I caught a bit of 'Trauma' the big new US TV drama series and the screen writers could well do with having a look at your work! They make it all transient, sexy, momentous and yet in reality, when seen through your eyes, the paramedics job is tough, sad, frustrating, odd, sometimes funny and always very moving. I am so sorry you had to go through that and as your first commentator says - it reminds him of seeing the war-wounded. You have really been through it. Hope all ok.<br />T xChimerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17346296659896590841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-6812854610807507282010-04-20T14:11:07.502+00:002010-04-20T14:11:07.502+00:00Thanks v much Sam
Sorry to hear you had to close ...Thanks v much Sam<br /><br />Sorry to hear you had to close your site. When you say 'station issues' - I hope it wasn't anything too serious / diff for you. <br /><br />As you know, I'm absolutely crap at visiting other sites / leaving comments, despite all my resolutions. But I had a look at your Scottish Adventures site just now, and I have to say your photos are breathtaking! I'm so jealous - wish I could go walking / climbing there... ;)<br /><br />Jo - hope you make it back soon (with all your homework done) :/ xSpence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-78825273339486642462010-04-20T13:13:23.989+00:002010-04-20T13:13:23.989+00:00Hey Spence,
Funny man....so alcohol helps, eh?
I&#...Hey Spence,<br />Funny man....so alcohol helps, eh?<br />I'm sure it does.<br />Sadly not stuck in miami, but stuck in Chicago with friends/family.<br />Not too bad considering. Was really hoping to be able to fly out tomorrow, but that is looking very unlikely.<br />Need to do homework still.<br />Everything else has been rescheduled.<br />xxlulu's missiveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00137536605784710186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-89727359502164815542010-04-20T11:36:10.988+00:002010-04-20T11:36:10.988+00:00Spence, beautifully and sensitively written as alw...Spence, beautifully and sensitively written as always. I hope I never have a job similar to this.<br /><br />Sam <br /><br />(Formerly Ambulance Nut, Louise. Had to close the site due to issues on station. Concentrating on R&R blog now.)Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10827398099715624957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-56010019656885434282010-04-20T10:55:23.188+00:002010-04-20T10:55:23.188+00:00Oh - sorry Jo. I didn't answer your question! ...Oh - sorry Jo. I didn't answer your question! (That's what comes of replying to comments with the music on too loud)<br /><br />I must admit I don't feel strong (emotionally). But I do feel like I want to help out when something's happened. I like the fact that if someone's stuck in the bath or stuffed down in a cellar me and my leetle friends can get them out.<br /><br />How do I unwind?<br />Family & Friends<br />Dogs<br />Music - listening & playing<br />Alcohol<br />Films<br />Swimming<br />Art<br />Alcohol (did I say that already?)<br />Sleeeeeeep xxSpence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-66194028656056433942010-04-20T10:49:17.829+00:002010-04-20T10:49:17.829+00:00Thanks a lot, Wayne.
It is a strange job in many ...Thanks a lot, Wayne.<br /><br />It is a strange job in many ways. You go from job to job to job, and though you quickly learn to have low expectations - so many are given as screaming Cat A emergencies but turn out to be nothing of the kind - now and again a job turns into something awful (but thankfully not that often). A bit like fishing - if you keep putting your rod in the water, eventually you'll come up with something other than a boot. :/ <br /><br />I do try to be as honest as I can, whilst respecting privacy. I've been writing the blog for 3 years now, and it feels as if for 3 years I've been getting away with it. I don't doubt that if management ever read it I'd be out on my ear. But maybe that would be fate intervening and telling me it was time to go, anyway - whilst I'm still sane...<br /><br />Hey Jo<br /><br />Are you home yet? <br />Got, what an ash-up this has been.<br />I hope you're okay and bearing up under the strain. The Navy have set sail, so don't worry.<br /><br />Still - Miami, eh? Nice :) xxSpence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-38412400939856980332010-04-19T22:13:08.122+00:002010-04-19T22:13:08.122+00:00Hello Spence,
Well that sort of puts my problem in...Hello Spence,<br />Well that sort of puts my problem into perspective.<br />Burns are so brutal. Painful in every way.<br />I would be affected too.<br />It takes a strong person to be able to aid someone in that situation.<br />How do you unwind and let go?<br />x jolulu's missiveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00137536605784710186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-28555471164865221142010-04-19T21:08:04.444+00:002010-04-19T21:08:04.444+00:00Spence, When you relive the moment in the writing,...Spence, When you relive the moment in the writing, I live it in the reading. Your writing is always interesting, sometimes exciting, sometimes melancholy. Here it tightens my throat and makes it hard to speak. I can't imagine what it takes to do your job at those times, and I marvel that you have the courage and strength to relate it to us so honestly. Thank you.Wayne Conradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595005905880642013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-73896637960118531702010-04-19T09:39:03.205+00:002010-04-19T09:39:03.205+00:00Henry - Cheers mate!
Yeah - pretty dreadful circ...Henry - Cheers mate! <br /><br />Yeah - pretty dreadful circumstances for the guy. The only comfort is that the whole event would have overwhelmed his senses, so I'm sure that even though his injuries were grievous, he wouldn't have felt much. <br /><br />Luckily, these big trauma jobs don't come along that often (although I've probably jinxed my next shift by saying that) :/<br /><br />Thanks Silje! <br /><br />Sometimes I wonder about the job, too. But I suppose it's like anything else, you take the good with the bad.Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-17136677538908522362010-04-19T03:35:56.151+00:002010-04-19T03:35:56.151+00:00Beautiful, honest writing. I really don’t know how...Beautiful, honest writing. I really don’t know how you guys do your job, and I really admire and thank you for it.Siljenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-33516528858948413022010-04-18T23:10:57.832+00:002010-04-18T23:10:57.832+00:00Spence, yet another cracking post. It's really...Spence, yet another cracking post. It's really odd reading your stuff sometimes. We're there with you as readers - pearched on your shoulder, watching. It's really vivid in my head! <br /><br />What a tough case. What a way to go.<br /><br />(And I've all this to look forward to... or perhaps not in this situation.)Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-31525121330647469532010-04-18T21:55:35.934+00:002010-04-18T21:55:35.934+00:00VT - Hmm!
Well - I've been to lots of fatal ...VT - Hmm! <br /><br />Well - I've been to lots of fatal illnesses and a few suicides, but nothing like that. It shook me up.Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-18975435157291625772010-04-18T21:38:07.205+00:002010-04-18T21:38:07.205+00:00'contrary describes something that contradicts...'contrary describes something that contradicts a proposition, converse is used when the elements of a proposition are reversed, opposite pertains to that which is diametrically opposed to a proposition, and reverse can mean each of those'<br /><br />Alive while well and truly dead ...a tough one spence!<br /><br />VTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-311263505213915002010-04-18T21:16:12.574+00:002010-04-18T21:16:12.574+00:00Wren - That sounds a tough assignment you were giv...Wren - That sounds a tough assignment you were given there. The fact that he was so young, too. Horrible. I think burns are particularly nightmarish - difficult to treat, difficult to recover from.<br /><br />I was very affected by Peter's injuries. Even though I've had very limited experience of serious burns, I knew that he couldn't possibly survive them. Frankly I was amazed he could speak at all. The fact that he was able to tell me his name was incredible. I knew that when he got to A&E he'd get the best care possible, that they'd take care of any pain he was in. All in all an awful job (in fact that particular shift had it's fair share of difficult cases...) x<br /><br />Rach & Baglady - Thanks for that :) <br /><br />TerrierAndy7 - I'm with you on that! We've got our fair share of trauma queens on base, and I'm glad to say I'm not one of them!<br /><br />By the way - I really meant to dedicate that piece to the fire crews. What a brilliant job they did that night! We're just kicking around in the lobby, whilst they're striding into the building, into the smoke and flames, pulling people out. Amazing!Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-34847233165069330432010-04-18T19:22:44.183+00:002010-04-18T19:22:44.183+00:00That's just awful. God, what a way to go.
Tha...That's just awful. God, what a way to go.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing Spence.Bagladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03997388396773480963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-38980706489737676912010-04-18T19:15:27.525+00:002010-04-18T19:15:27.525+00:00"My hands shake..." >>> I love ..."My hands shake..." >>> I love your honesty, Spence.<br /><br />Many people have asked me about all the 'exciting' jobs I did as a medic. If only they knew that we always dread the 'exciting', crave only the mundane.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing, Spence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-53872326022453896832010-04-18T19:01:55.515+00:002010-04-18T19:01:55.515+00:00Wow!! Spence, how very sad!! xWow!! Spence, how very sad!! xRachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05254109361061114465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-75982878189276272462010-04-18T17:35:54.500+00:002010-04-18T17:35:54.500+00:00What a nightmare, Spence. That poor man.
I once r...What a nightmare, Spence. That poor man.<br /><br />I once rode along in the back of a U.S. military ambulance with a young man who'd been horribly burned in an accident during an Army exercise. He was being taken to a hospital plane for transfer back to the U.S. from Germany, where he'd be receiving treatment and rehab for his burns. As a writer/editor for Army public affairs, I'd been assigned to interview him on the way, and then write up the interview for publication in the post newspaper.<br /><br />He'd suffered burns over 60 percent of his body. 22 years old. He'd joined the Army after marrying his pregnant girlfriend so he'd have a way to support her and his baby; they'd remained in the U.S. He'd been in Germany less than six months when the accident happened. He had no idea what he'd do once he was well; the doctor I'd spoken to told me that his survival was not assured, but they were doing all they could for him.<br /><br />I honestly didn't know what to say to this terribly injured young man as we rode along toward the airport. I felt as if I was intruding, badly, into the most private part of his life. He had little to say. In the end, I wished him luck and watched as they trundled him off to the plane. Took some photos, not showing his face.<br /><br />When I went back to the Army post, I found I couldn't write much about him, so ended up mainly writing about his care and the burn center he would be treated at, and how the Army would take care of him. His personal feelings ... no. I hadn't been able to bring myself to ask the usual questions: How did it happen? What was it like? How do you feel? What will you do?<br /><br />My boss decided it would be best not to publish the story at all. I was glad. And I've often wondered in the years since if he survived, and if so, how his life turned out. It seemed to me like a stunningly unfair tragedy.<br /><br />I'm sure that this incident you wrote about so beautiful has affected you deeply. You must have felt so helpless, faced with such terrible wounds. My heart goes out to you.<br />-WrenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com