Parables of a Paramedic is a memoir about the author's experience as a paramedic and what it taught him about life, death, God, faith, and spirituality. The book takes readers on an eye-opening journey through patient interactions on emergency scenes and critical care runs. The author shares what he learns from patients of the five major faiths: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and beyond.
This is an unforgettable book that chronicles the pressing challenges we face such as disease, trauma, pathophysiology, aging, social ills, moral and ethical degradation, a broken health care system, neglect, and the unseen. Everything in this book is true and backed up by the author's notes that were kept in a journal for over three decades. Through this memoir, the author examines spirituality, religion, and the life-changing observations of being a paramedic. Will his own faith endure - and what can he learn from others? In this unforgettable book, the author not only learns more about his own faith, but he also is able to work with another person's faith during times of suffering and end-of-life care. The journey begins in the author's childhood home - his training ground to become a compassionate paramedic. He took care of his brother Doug, who has Cerebral Palsy. Providing care for his brother taught him so much about life, himself, and equipped him to take on the heaviness of being a paramedic. Readers will get insight into his training in Springfield, MA., along with his clinical time in New York City during his journey to become a paramedic. This is a profound examination of religion, spirituality, and the medical community's faith in science and technology. This book answers important questions - such as healthcare's role in working with and respecting each patient's religion and faith. The author explores treatments outside of standard medicine, such as holistic and spiritual treatments to support palliative care. Being a paramedic is a life-changing job, and Parables of a Paramedic shares an insightful glimpse into one man's unforgettable journey doing this significant work.