Blog #8 - Anya

The Humans of New York story I chose followed an individual named Anthony who talked about his experience working in EMS. The story didn’t specify whether he was an EMT or a paramedic, but either way, he discussed how in the world of emergency medicine there is a type of beauty seen while treating patients. No matter where they come from or how they live, people have their own stories to share—except with his case, it’s in the back of an ambulance. However, he also talked about how working in EMS is very traumatic and is a very harrowing job to have (for multiple reasons besides the emotionally taxing cases).

He has treated patients with traumatic stories where it is easy to feel like the world closes in on himself. Except through traveling to places like Mongolia and Zimbabwe, he has been able to meet other people with similar stories as him. Through his love for traveling, Anthony has found ways to appreciate what the world has to offer. Now whenever he treats people on the back of an ambulance, their stories allow him to share new connections and to see why emergency medicine can be very rewarding. 

What I liked about his story was how honest and upfront he was while describing his work. He goes into some staggering statistics about how the mental health of EMS workers are negatively affected and how many are left feeling like they are not receiving enough to be able to provide for themselves. He talked about having to work multiple jobs just to support himself.

I liked this quote he said too: “Don’t get me wrong; we see wonderful things too: people helping people, babies getting delivered. But it’s not wonderful enough. You can’t dip your paintbrush in the wonderful and cover over the tragic. There’s not enough paint.”

The photos of him are of him wearing his EMS shirt and then of some of the many exotic places he’s traveled. I think the pictures showcase how there are two sides to him. One feels more serious and intense while the other shows what he loves doing the most which is traveling. Overall, I found Anthony’s story to be a great example of how medicine can be beautiful but also devastating all at once and finding an outlet like traveling, for example, is what makes the hardships seem worth pursuing.