SHIFT 20...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service...
One of the beauties of my job these past 18 years as a
Paramedic are the additional privileges in which I’ve been blessed to be part
of. One such experience was through my GAGA (Get Away Give Away) Days. Though
not directly involved with a medical purpose, still to care for our group became
one of my responsibilities and in fact one year it was very useful.
In the late 90’s through 2002 my son Zach would join me as
we ventured off to Mexico with GAGA. A program began by a gentleman out of
Eugene Friends Church to take youth and adults alike to the Northern border of
Mexico and give our Spring break in order to provide home and church building
projects to single moms and others in need. It would deliver many wonderful
cultural and relational experiences. Our group would include 20 to 30 total
members from the Silverton and Scotts Mills areas.
Though every year we would inevitably have a few minor and
an occasional serious problems, the worst came in 2002. We always enjoyed going
into town to experience a genuine Mexican dinner experience, but we were also
blessed by our host who would often provide a meal or two. This particular meal
was of some sort of white fish which had a very nice flavor to it…going down
that is. Fortunately for me I did not experience the process in reverse. But
for at least 75% of our crew, such was not the case. And oh boy…my buddy
Chris…dude he can retch, like…loud! So in the middle of the night with the
majority of our folks losing fluids at an remarkable pace, I was off to the
farmacia. My Spanish back then was quite limited, but I was able to make do and
find some great remedies…I would find out later that morning that my buddy
Duane saw the fish that they cooked for us…sitting outside for quite a long
period of time. When he was eating it he was asking himself if this could
possibly be the same fish that he saw out the day before…Guess it was…ouch!
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