They arrive quietly, urgently—often before we’ve had time to process what’s happening. In moments of crisis, the paramedics are the ones who kneel beside us, ask the right questions, and make decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. But behind the calm voices and steady hands are real people carrying the weight […]
They arrive quietly, urgently—often before we’ve had time to process what’s happening. In moments of crisis, the paramedics are the ones who kneel beside us, ask the right questions, and make decisions that can mean the difference between life and death.
But behind the calm voices and steady hands are real people carrying the weight of what they witness every day.
In this special Humans of Sarnia series, I’ll be sitting down with paramedics to talk about what their job truly involves—not just the procedures and protocols, but the emotional toll, the quiet heartbreaks, and the moments that stay with them long after the sirens fade.
These aren’t just interviews. They’re a window into a profession built on urgency, compassion, and an extraordinary kind of resilience. My hope is that through their voices, we come to better understand the human side of emergency care—and the people who keep showing up, no matter what they face.
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By Anonymous;
I am a paramedic.
I am the one you don't see out of my house often. I am the one the cashiers all look at funny because I'm stressed out and flustered. I am the quiet one at the social gatherings. I am the one that doesn't know how to respond to small talk from a stranger. I am the one that's always in my comfy clothes or my pajamas. I am the one that takes a deep breath when I've forgotten to breathe. I'm the one that stands up for a stranger. I'm the one that turns around on the road to make sure you're okay pulled over on the shoulder.
I am a mom. I am a wife. I am a daughter. I am a friend. I am family. I am the one that my friends and family cannot relate to. I am the one my family and friends turn to when someone is dying because they believe I can handle it better. I am the one my family and friends don't check in on. I am the one my family and friends don't invite places because they have already decided I'm busy. I am the one that's always there when you call or text. I am the one that enjoys the pets more than the human company.
I am the one that comes when you call in the middle of the night on the worst day of your life. I am the one that held your baby for the first time. I am also the one that held your baby for the last time. I am the one that has the honour of witnessing new life, and the honour of holding a loved one's hand during the end of life. I am the one responsible for telling you we have stopped CPR as it's become futile. I am the one that tells you your loved one is dead. I am the one that cries with you. I am the one that's spent hours with you because you aren't ready to be alone after your wife is gone. I am the one that hears you screaming while I am checking on the passengers left in the car. I am the one that advocates for you when I get you to the hospital. I am the one that held your hand the entire way because you were scared. I am the one that sat on the floor with you until you were comfortable enough to come with me to the hospital during your crisis. I am the one that checked on your mom when she didn't answer her phone. I am the one that came out to help you off the floor. I am the one that came out to you even when you didn't want to see me, and made sure you knew I'd be back in a beat if you changed your mind.
I am the one everyone thinks is strong. I am the one that hears “that kind of thing never bothers me” from people who have not spent 12 hours seeing it over and over. I am the one that comes home to sit in silence. I am the one that cries in my car after a tough shift. I am the one that's struggling but can't tell you. I am the one that sweats the small stuff. I am the one that has trouble relaxing my thoughts at night. I am the one that screams in my sleep. I am the one that sees your face in my night terrors. I am the one that still hears your screams. I am the one that can't function normally unless I am at work. I am the one that takes everything to heart and feels the weight of every loss.
I am 9-1-1.
"Humans of Sarnia" founder Art Connolly is a man fuelled by curiosity and a passion for connecting with people in Sarnia. Inspired by the renowned “Humans of New York” series, with a camera in hand, he captures the very essence of the individuals he encounters, preserving their stories through his lens. Follow his series on Instagram and Facebook.
