Good people abound in Eastern Iowa

This past November, I was involved in a serious automobile accident in Belle Plaine. My memories of the aftermath of the accident are still chaotic, but I do remember enough to describe what happened and to offer my thanks and gratitude to those who helped me.

An EMT from the Belle Plaine Ambulance Service managed to crawl inside the vehicle to check my condition, start treatment and keep me calm and comfortable. When I began to lose consciousness, she kept me awake by talking to me about my wife, my kids, all of the things important in my life.

The fire department arrived and began sawing through the front windshield and roof supports to remove me from the driver's seat as the EMT protected me from the flying shards of glass.

When I was finally pulled from the vehicle, I saw a small crowd of first responders, who had taken part in getting me out.

Several spoke to me and wished me luck. Later, I was struck by the sincerity of their words as I was taken away from the scene.

It was then I began to fully realize that this was serious. I told the EMTs that I wanted them to take me to Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. The EMT responded by saying, 'Sweetie, we're not taking you anywhere. You're going out of here by helicopter.”

St. Luke's helicopter personnel were amazing. The emergency staff at Mercy Hospital was the definition of efficiency and concern.

Over the next day or two, I learned just how fast and efficient the members of the Iowa State Patrol are in investigating accidents.

The day after the accident, the physical therapy staff at Mercy, to my utter amazement, had me up and moving around with the aid of a walker. I didn't move fast or go far, but I was up. They persuaded me to spend some time in the Acute Physical Therapy Unit to begin learning how to take care of myself. After my release, their home care staff provided ongoing physical and occupational therapy and skilled nursing.

Today, I'm getting around quite well. Thanks to the efforts and skills of all those involved in helping me through this entire incident, I am on my way to a full recovery.

From the moment that the first responders arrived at the scene of the accident until the last home care worker discharged me from care, I was met with an enormous level of professionalism, skill, efficiency, caring, and just plain good people, who came to the aid of a total stranger. I am in their debt, and they have my eternal gratitude.

I am not a native of Iowa. My wife is from Cedar Rapids. I'm a Yankee boy from New England. But I want to take this opportunity to recognize the fact that Eastern Iowa has been blessed: You are fortunate to have such people living and working here, doing what they do.

' Stephen Black Wolf recently moved from New England to Cedar Rapids. Comments: black.wolf.steve@gmail.com