Unfortunately, verbal abuse is common and you do get sworn at; usually by people that are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If someone tells you to fuck off, you fuck off. You do. I’m not here to negotiate to that. You want me to leave, goodbye, I’m gone.

We’re very good at leaving when we’re told. The verbal abuse doesn’t bother me anymore. I know that people under the influence of drugs or alcohol unfortunately do say things that they may not necessarily mean. I know it’s not personal and it’s usually a reflection of what’s going on in their lives. It’s not about me.

I have been hit twice in the job. I’ve been exposed to physical abuse. I’ve also learnt from those experiences. First time I was still a student, so it was very early on in my career. I got too close to an intoxicated patient. I got her into the back of the ambulance when I shouldn’t have, because she wasn’t in control at the time and I should’ve realised that it wasn't safe to bring her into a small enclosed space. What we need to realise is that the ambulance is our work space. So that’s MY workplace. People forget I have a mobile workplace. So, if I bring someone in there, I need to make sure that I am safe first.

She got upset and lashed out at me. Just whacked me across the face and jumped out of the ambulance running into traffic. She was now unsafe. My work partner, who was very experienced at the time, ran after her, grabbed her and got her off the road. I was gobsmacked. First time in my life where I had no words! (laughs). I didn’t know what to say.

I stood there going, ‘oh my god I’ve just been hit across the face’.

That had never happened to me before. It was a delayed reaction. I couldn’t even call out to my work partner that she’d run out. I learnt very early then to make sure that the ambulance was a safe place and never to put someone in the back until I felt comfortable.

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Part II: Humanity 2.0

Part I: United Humanity

Not Your Average Barber