LETTER: PARAMEDIC PRAISES FIRST RESPONDERS AFTER HIS OWN CRASH

LETTER TO EDITOR:

ED. NOTE: Mark Verbeek celebrated 30 years with the Muskoka Paramedic Services on June 6. Two days later he and his wife were in a serious traffic accident that offered him a personal perspective on his career as a victim. He offers his insights and thanks to fellow first responders in a letter as one who know of what he writes. He calls them “heroes.”

On June 8, my wife and I were involved in a car crash in which we were struck from behind by a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed.

The crash can only be described as horrendous and life-changing.

While we sustained significant, but non life-threatening injuries, we will recover — although perhaps with ongoing physical challenges.

Possibly, the bigger challenge may be dealing with the psychological trauma that comes along with such an event.

I’m not sure if we will ever ride our bikes on a busy road again.

We will certainly have a degree of anxiety when other vehicles follow too closely or rush up behind us to pass.

Fortunately, the fear and emotional trauma we experienced at the scene of the crash was reduced by the first responders who arrived to look after us.

I would like to call them heroes, but I know (as one) they don’t like that term.

From their perspective, they are simply doing the job they are so well-trained to do.

First, I wish to thank the Lake of Bays Fire Department.

The volunteers who arrived to help us took time out of their personal lives to come to our aid. My gratitude goes out to each of them for the assistance and care they provided us that day.

Although I have no recollection of the OPP at the scene, I know they were there controlling traffic and ensuring the well-being of each individual present.

Police officers have a challenging job and I appreciate the work they did that contributed to our well-being.

I can’t express the overwhelming relief I experienced when the first ambulance arrived.

The efficient and composed approach these individuals had was very calming.

My fear and anxiety were greatly reduced knowing both my wife and I were being taken care of by the most professional individuals I have had the pleasure to know.

We were delivered to the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital emergency room.

The medical staff at this hospital is nothing less than exceptional.

We were assessed and treated with speed, efficiency and compassion. They did their best to make us feel comfortable and at ease, while assessing and treating our injuries.

The care they provided was excellent and although we are dealing with ongoing medical problems as a result of the crash, the medical staff at the SMMH ER gave us the best start we could have towards recovery.

The professionals who are often forgotten in these types of situations are there emergency communicators of the Muskoka Ambulance Communication Centre who received the 911 call about our crash.

These individuals are the ones who ensure the timely arrival of each emergency service.

If not for the excellent work they do, the help we so badly needed would have never arrived.

I would also like to thank the many individuals who stopped to offer assistance at the scene. I am not able to name anyone specifically, but know that I very much appreciate your help that day.

Additionally, I have to thank the many friends, colleagues and family who have reached out to offer their support and assistance. It was overwhelming in the best of ways, the number of messages we have received over the past few weeks.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my son and daughter.

My son was the first person to arrive at the crash scene. His ability to stay calm, call 911 and then do his best to simultaneously communicate with us while beginning to gain access to my wife, who sustained more serious injuries than me.

Both he and my daughter have been exceedingly helpful over the past few weeks. We could not have managed to get by without them.

I don’t know how to express the gratitude I have for them.

Please, all drivers, slow down a little.

Driving at excessive speeds saves you very little time, but puts you — your family, other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians — at much more risk.

Following too closely will not make other drivers speed up. It will not get you to your destination any faster.

Drive safely — lives depend on it.

Mark Verbeek

Bracebridge