He actually survived this . . .

My son, daughter-in-law and 4 kids were returning home to Texas from a visit to Omaha and Kansas City to see my other son and my daughter. As they crossed Oklahoma, they came upon this wreck - right after it happened. The guy was going the wrong way on the Interstate and took a semi almost head on. The police were on site, but no ambulance yet.

John happens to be an ER MD, so he hotfooted across the interstate, took a quick look at the guy and diagnosed him is a diabetic. His daughter Amanda (9 years old) also is diabetic, so he grabbed her blood sugar kit and did a quick test. The guy's blood sugar was 35, which explained the accident. (Those of you who are diabetic or know a diabetic will know what super low blood sugar does to you.) John went back and got some of the juice he keeps for Amanda to kick up her occasional low blood sugar problems, and the guy started coming back out of his stupor.

He stuck around after the EMTs arrived in order to make his report, and stayed until the ambulance carried him off. The highway patrol was really glad to see him, and thanked him several times. The EMT's didn't say thank you . . . go figger.

After the ambulance left, the highway patrol stopped traffic so he could cross back to his vehicle - whereupon the cop asked John if he realized he didn't have any shoes on. I don't think he realized it.

I guess it just goes to show you that if you're going to take on a semi, it's a good idea to have an ER MD in the other lane. :eek:

I was going to say that sometimes your kids surprise you . . . but that's wrong. He did exactly what I assumed he would do.

John is just behind the gurney - dark shirt and sunglasses. Note the lack of shoes.

I am amazed the driver survived. My hat is off to your son.....VERY WELL DONE....

You are right on the low blood sugar-I get all disoriented when mine goes south.

I chuckle about the shoe part....but the effort and valiance your son showed is outstanding and he just got added to my hero list.

Your son did very well, what is it they say about heros, they are the ones that make the choice to do the right thing.

I would bet that the reason the guy lived is because he had crashed and was probably limp when the accident happened. would you mind asking your son if that would be a safe bet?

Tell your son I'll toast him as one of my 4th of July true Americans.

Red

Someone was really looking out for that guy, and it was so great of your Son to jump in like that, and also that he recognized the low sugar condition. Most people would have thought he was drunk or on drugs.

My Son Dan is diabetic, and has had two instances where 911 had to be called as he ran low and was in the 35 range himself. One day he was rigging a guys boat, and luckily the guy knew who I was and called to tell me Dan was laying on the bottom of the boat, non responsive. The guy had hesitated to call me because the thought Dan might have been on drugs............I said "No, he's diabetic !!" I rushed over there and got the EMT's called. It scared the h*** out of me to see Dan like that, he was combative and very close to a coma. Later Dan said he had no warning it was coming on, and the last thing he remembers it was 2 PM, and it was now 4:30. He could have died if that guy hadn't called me, and it scares me to death.

That guy in the crash was so lucky on all counts, and your Son is to be commended for his actions. I have such great respect for the Doctors and Nurses who do this sort of thing day in, day out, and save so many lives.

Don

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Originally Posted by Dago Red

Your son did very well, what is it they say about heros, they are the ones that make the choice to do the right thing.

I would bet that the reason the guy lived is because he had crashed and was probably limp when the accident happened. would you mind asking your son if that would be a safe bet?

Tell your son I'll toast him as one of my 4th of July true Americans.

Red

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Actually, the guy was securely belted in, and the airbag deployed. That and the fact that the major hit was towards the passenger side probably saved him on initial impact. The guy apparently hadn't passed out - he was just incoherent, and couldn't figure out where he was.

Thanks for the compliments. I'll pass them on. However, I'm sure he'll say that he just did what he was supposed to do.

A great story, Jack. Hats off to your son. He's a genuine hero.

At least the police officers showed some appreciation whether the EMT's did or not. Is the poor guy in the blue car been in any shape to contact John?

Occasionally there have been times when I was able to look at my son (also John) and think "You know, maybe I did a FEW things right!"

You are now authorized to smile proudly.

Congratulations from all of us.

Jim

I wear a bracelet to indicate I'm a heart patient.....don't they have those for diabetics?
I also carry a list of meds I'm taking and contact phone numbers.
Yeah, It scares me to death that something might happen and people not know what to do.
Hat's off to your Son.

DT

Jack, all I can say is hats off to your son. These kind of acts renews my faith in the human race everytime I hear of them.

Jack Thank god your son was in the right place at the right time. The man could have died w/o his help. God bless you son and family.

Jack,
I have three sons 8,6 and 3. I pray they grow up with enough courage and conviction to do the right thing. I am sure you have a wonderful son to be proud of.
My father in law is epeleptic and had an accident riding his motorcycle a few years ago. There were some mix ups with his meds and his body chemistry got all out of whack. These things happen and it nice to see others come to the rescue when they do.
Chris

My wifes diabetic uncle blacked out while riding his 2 week old Honda Gold Wing down I-70 last Sunday. Witnesses said he went airborne as he ran off the highway at 70 mph and never touched the brakes. Smashed though a 4 strand barb wire fence and into an embankment. He's got a gash on his head that required 43 stitches to close, 4 broken ribs, a chipped 7th vertebrae with numbness in his right arm. Highway Patrol said the bike was totalled. He is a very lucky 70 yr old man. Oh the dummy was also riding without a helmet, so I call it attempted suicide rather than an accident.

[QUOTE=dogtag]I wear a bracelet to indicate I'm a heart patient.....don't they have those for diabetics?


Yes, they do, and both his Mom and I have offered to buy him one, but he is vain, and rejected the offer. We even offered to buy him a custom made one that looks like a nice piece of jewelry, but he didn't even want that. :( I think he doesn't want people to generally know he has the illness.........part of being young and dumb I guess.

Don

Someone that was raised with the right values! Not only is he a Hero but he is a testament to you and your whole family! Great Job Dad!! You should be proud!

John

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Originally Posted by Dago Red

I would bet that the reason the guy lived is because he had crashed and was probably limp when the accident happened. would you mind asking your son if that would be a safe bet?

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I'd say he lived because it was the passenger side that got crushed, not the drivers side.

Jack, I wish there were a lot more people out there with the talent and heart of your son. So many people would ride by not even bothering to call it in because they would believe someone else would do it. The fact that your son not only stopped but also rendered aid to the victim is something that both he and you can be proud of the rest of your lives. I could only hope that someone like you son would be around if and when any one in my family would be involved in a tragic accident.

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Don said: I think he doesn't want people to generally know he has the illness.........part of being young and dumb I guess.

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Don, I don't know how old your son is but it is true that his age may be keeping him from wearing a medic-alert necklace or bracelet. Could be a vanity issue. As he gets older he may decide that it may be a life benefiting piece of jewelry. There are many who do not wish to be public about being diabetic. I am diabetic also, been that way for 10 years. I am not afraid of providing that information but not always willing to discuss it openly. There can be a stigma to having any type of disease, and especially one that might have been prevented.

Actually there are quite a few people out there who think diabetics in general should be denied the priviledge of driving, regardless of their condition. No one really wants to have a big red D tattooed on their forehead so that we can all be easily identified when the time comes for round-up.

I have never experienced a low blood sugar level below 75, most of my levels are above 110, some twice that. My daughter's friend's grandfather recently had a blood sugar level over 1200. He was lucky to get to the hospital before going comatose. He had been drinking coke and chocolate milk to quench his everlasting thirst when he passed out. First thing he asked for in the hospital was a coke.:eek: Some either never learn or are still in denial. Either in the case may prove deadly.

You're right Bob about him being very secretive about being diabetic. He is insulin dependant, really takes care of himself, and keeps his numbers low on purpose. He feels the damage to his body is lessened by doing that, and every checkup has been super good. But by keeping the numbers low, he is always running the risk of dipping too low. He is 36, and was diagnosed only about 8 years ago.

The stigma you have mentioned seems to be his problem, but I have tried to tell him I have a heart disease, and he is diabetic. There is no shame or whatever, just a situation we both have to deal with. As you said, maybe as he gets older the vanity will not be such an issue. Right now, he doesn't even talk to us about it much, but really does take good care of himself otherwise.

Don

Don, It's really good to hear that he takes care of himself really well, that is without question the most important thing to do. I am type 2, using pills to help control mine. Not easy for sure, especially when they keep trying to take my pills off the market. I already have some problems with peripheral neuropathy that has been arrested due to vigilance, but vigilance is a constant factor.

Tell your son to keep up the good work. Constant vigilance now may result in an extended and good life, free of many of the other deadly diseases that so often accompany diabetes. Hopefully in your son's lifetime they will find a cure or at least a remedy for it.

You are right Bob. In the meantime, it is terrific we have people like Jack's Son John looking over us. It was great that he was not only there, but smart enough to diagnose what was really going on with that wreck victim. Must be a great feeling to go to bed at night, knowing you saved someones life that day.:) :) :) :)


Don