Several years ago, I was sitting at the kitchen table with my Dad when he experienced a transient ischemic attack. I dialed 911 immediately. Even though his slurred speech and drooped face returned to normal within minutes, the paramedics still insisted on taking him to the hospital. Sure, it was their job. They, however, were total strangers who weren’t swayed by Dad’s insistence that he was okay. They cared, cited his age, and off to the hospital he went. The paramedics said that, when it comes to T.I.A., so-called mini strokes, as well as more serious episodes, time is precious.
Yesterday’s news reminded me of that stressful day. Many have made light of it. Whatever your political leanings, there was nothing funny or deserving about it.
The episode was sad enough, but what was sadder about what happened to Sen. McConnell yesterday, was to be so near to so many people— in front of, beside, and behind him— who didn’t realize he was in distress. Cameras kept rolling as precious seconds ticked away.
Who’s near you? Who’s close by?
If you must have a circle, posse, team, etc., consider who they are. Consider why they’re close. Is it all about perks and Kodak moments? Do they really have your back, or are they just standing and grinning in your shadow, ready to do your bidding? Consider who you’ve rejected, misjudged, or excluded in favor of them. Is it real friendship or community, or are you followed around by snakes, hirelings, dogs, opportunists, and partners in crime?
YOU, as a human being— NOT what you have, can do for, or give to them, who you know, your position, title, reputation —should be what the people close to you care about most. You.
What a tragedy to find oneself in the company of “yes” men and women who won’t/don’t speak truth, encourage wisdom, or common sense, but will, for THEIR benefit, prop you up like Bernie Lomax just to keep the show going.
You’d better know who cares about you—and for heaven’s sake don’t, by your words, behavior, or actions, exhaust, scatter, or frustrate those who genuinely do.
The hands in which you find yourself might be absolutely, positively useless and clueless when it matters most.
I’m sure there’s a name for the inclination to mock or laugh at stuff that shouldn’t be funny—particularly if the person in distress is an enemy, or widely disliked individual.
However, how to react to a clear medical emergency is not to create memes, joke, gloat, or jeer. If you’re IN THE ROOM, it’s definitely not to stand cluelessly and smile, do nothing, or pretend nothing is wrong (in a pitiful attempt to keep up appearances).
If you see someone suddenly “freeze”, and they’re neither at a Beyoncé concert in the midst of a mute challenge, playing Freeze Tag, nor enjoying a rollicking game of 1-2-3 Red Light, you should immediately stop what YOU’RE doing, pick up a phone, and call for an ambulance, so that a dispatcher can tell you what to do until the EMTs arrive. Something is not right. It’s not normal. Time is critical. Call 911…and if it IS happening all the time, don’t normalize or minimize it.
Get help.
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