Last night at work, I almost got into a shouting match with an EMT/Firefighter. I normally have great respect for first responders, but let's just say, there is always that bad apple in the bushel.
One of our guests was having a bad night. He was in full out melt down, temper tantrum mode, although I've witnessed worse. Mom ended up bringing him into the lobby where she safely pinned him down on the floor so he could ride it out and calm down. This poor little guy was really agitated and was trying to punch and kick. He is only 5 years old.
I asked Mom what we could do to help her. I was a bit shocked when she asked me to call 911 to request an ambulance. She believed her son was having a bad reaction to his ADHD medicine.
I did as she asked and again offered to help her in anyway we could. I offered to call her husband or someone else, but she refused, telling us she had it under control, and that she had called an ambulance last week for a similar episode.
She seemed like she was doing an excellent job, he was stable on the ground, she had his legs and arms restrained. He seemed to be calming down. He actually asked for his mother to cancel the EMT request. I asked her if she wanted me to call 911 back, and she said no. She wanted their assistance.
The 911 operator instructed me to go to the door to greet the EMT and bring them to the patient. While I was at the door, I guess the mother chose to release her hold on the boy and he instantly became combative again, punching and kicking her.
As soon as he saw the EMTs he stopped. The female EMT tended to the mom while the younger male EMT tended to the little boy, helping him calm down, checking his breathing etc.
The third EMT didn't know what to do with himself I guess, because he walked up to my co-worker and myself and began to chew us out. He reprimanded us for not helping the mom.
"I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WALK IN HERE AND SEE WHAT I SAW! DON'T BE AFRAID TO ACT AND HELP SOMEONE IN NEED!"
Before we could say anything in our defense, the mom stopped him and told him we had indeed offered help. She didn't want us to put our hands on her son, and that she felt she had it under control. She began to apologize to us profusely, and I assured her she didn't have to.
I felt so bad because as if this mom wasn't stressed enough, she was feeling bad the EMT was chewing us out. Mr. Insensitive had no clue. He happened to walk in at the exact moment mom had let go and the little boy began swinging away again. Up until that point, she had him pinned on the ground and in a calm submissive position.
After everything calmed down, the little boy left with his mom and the male EMTs headed outside. The female EMT then came up to my co-worker and I and said, "I'm really sorry my partner went off on you two like that. Please don't think you did anything wrong."
I was still fuming. In hindsight, there wasn't anything else we could have done. Mom had him on the ground, under control. I went to the door to escort the EMTs in and all heck broke loose.
My heart is breaking for this little boy. Mom said his doctors just put him on a new medication for his ADHD and anxiety disorder. Its obviously not supporting him. Although I personally wouldn't have chosen to call an ambulance, (his breathing was fine, no swelling, looked like a typical temper tantrum to me), I understood why mom wanted us to. I heard her say to her little boy, "This is the last time I can call the EMTs. Next time they will want me to call the police." My heart breaks for her too.
Why is it doctors are so quick to medicate our children? Why does it seem like alternatives are not considered? Why do they think medication alone is the answer?
This little boy has come to our pool for years and this was the first time I'd seen him act out. Previously he seemed like a typical little boy. He's suppose to be bouncing off the walls. He's 5! It's fun to come swimming. Mom told me he has problems in school because he doesn't want to sit still for very long. I have to wonder if she felt pressured into the ADHD drugs.
Although I do believe some individuals could have brain chemical mix ups, requiring medication, I am alarmed at how many kids these days are drugged up at what seems to be such a young age. Their little bodies are still growing. What are the long term effects?
6 comments:
One of the primary problems, regarding this sort of situation is that general practitioners are the ones diagnosing these children and they have NO business doing it. They aren't qualified and certainly don't administer the appropriate test needed....nor should they be the one medicating them. A child in question should be tested and diagnosed by a qualified licensed MD who specializes in psychiatry, and psychiatric medication. Even then, at most, it's a hit and miss situation because we each have different chemistries.. You're right...way too many children have been thrown into the category of ADD or ADHD or worse...a lot of the problem has nothing to do with that...it has more to do with the lack of direction, and control from the adults in their lives. (When parents and other adults don't set boundaries and appropriate guidelines and enforce them, children DO become confused and anxious) We can thank the government, in part, for this. In any case, too many are being unnecessarily medicated, and forced into being labeled what is stereotypically considered very negative in the eyes of others, including other children, when the child is in school. That, in itself, can cause additional psychological/self image problems for the child.
I WOULD, if this had happened to me, at least call and speak to the EMT's superior and explain to him/her what transpired...and let them know that not only was the way he spoke to you upsetting and out of line since he really had no clue as to what had transpired, but it was grossly inappropriate, in ANY case!
I understand your frustration with what happened and concerning the medication of so many children. {{{hugs}}}
Too often, we/DRs/whomever label kids as this or that rather than finding what works for the kids regarding discipline, diet, etc. People are definitely wired differently, but parents need to work on figuring out their children. While my daughter has never been on the extreme end of hyperactivity, I can see that she could very well be if it weren't for discipline and control on our end as parents. Sousonne made great points regarding this.
I hate to see little kids medicated. I agree that sometimes it's necessary. But I think that's a very small percent. JMO
I would have called the EMT's boss. He had no right to talk to you that way.
My heart breaks for the little boy and for the mom. I agree that doctors are too quick to medicate these days! Kids should be allowed to be kids, and we aren't allowing that anymore. Gosh, I'm really so sorry for you and your co-worker. What a shame. Let us know how he seems next time he is in. I hope things get worked out.
They really need to train these people on how to deal with these situations.
Doctors are prescribing meds too often and don't take each individual child in consideration. We won't medicate our children, did for a short time wit hour ds but with horrible results. So even though our dd has attention deficit I won't medicate her and our doctor doesn't agree with us. But I say its our choice and I don't feel her case is severe enough to prescribe meds
This statement from the mom worries me
"This is the last time I can call the EMTs. Next time they will want me to call the police."
I am wondering if some of his meltdowns are for attention, even though it is for the wrong reason. I have seen it before in kids with problems
Hugs to You, You did the right thing, all we could ever do is follow the parents instructions.
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