Breaking News: Heroic Teenager Acts Fast
“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Amazing Human Spirit
Imagine a man charging into your back door, blood gushing from his neck, screaming, “I’ve been shot, can you help me?”
What would you do?
This recently happened in Chicago to a young 15 year-old girl named Journey Jamison. And, thanks to a local program training everyday citizens on how to treat gunshot victims, she knew just what to do.
“Yes! Yes!” was her response.
She described how empowered she felt when she called 9-11, knowing exactly what to say to have the ambulance come most quickly. She didn’t hesitate when it came to treating the wound. And she knew how to handle the stream of well-meaning neighbors who found their way into her house, crowding her as she worked.
I remember taking a Red Cross First Aid and CPR class as part of my high school curriculum, many years ago. I have relied on what I learned throughout life, over and over again.
With the wildfires here in Northern California, we have been poignantly aware of how unexpected emergencies happen everyday (as do miracles, neighbors and strangers helping others, and surprisingly wonderful events). In times of need, it can be helpful if we have, in some small way, planned for the worst, if only in a class, rehearsing emergency plans, or solution-oriented conversations about “what if” when our minds are clear, and we are free from harm.
We are each far more capable than we realize. This story reminds us that if we don’t let our fear stop us, but instead channel it to help others, or like those in Chicago, develop concrete, creative outreach programs, we really can change the world for the better, one life at a time.
The other thing I take away from this story? Teenagers are so cool!
