One of My Favorite Men

I have several favorite men in my professional career. No- I am not a member of the world's oldest profession, but rather a flight nurse/paramedic in pre-hospital medicine. The guys I work with are second to none. The twins in Hampton/Allendale County are some of the best pre-hospital providers I have ever gotten to work with- but my favorite guy by far is Stanly.

Stanly is all of 3 1/2 feet tall, loves trains, police cars and helicopters and is 5 years old.

Stanly can also explain why we have tail rotor guards, how we load a patient, and how to do CPR. But that is after he shakes your hand, says 'Hi, I am Stanly, and 'pleased to meet you'. He also says yes ma'am and no ma'am, and calls me 'Miss Karyn'. He also has mischievous blue eyes that melt your heart.

I met Stanly when his two older brothers, Catlin and Jason Schroyer brought him to see the helicopter at Allendale a few weeks ago. He didn't just impress me, he impressed our entire flight crew, James and Paul. Last night during a joint EMS night out with the hospital, one of the twins showed up, and my first question was where was Stanly? Jason explained he was at home- I told him it would not be a proper outing without Stanly- and Catlin brought him over.

He showed me how to catch bugs, investigated someone getting a ticket in the parking lot- then told me the train was coming. 'Don't you hear the bells Miss Karyn?'. And then the helicopter came into view. 'They have to make a circle to make sure where they are landing' he told me. And as soon as the rotors were stopped - he was the first one out there.

He made friends with the flight crew he didn't know, visited with his 'friend' the pilot, then flirted with our flight medic Toyanna. He showed her how he can open a bag of chips without help and was seen on the fence line with her telling her dinosaur jokes.

His brothers keep him on a short leash- and if he follows in their footsteps- Hampton and Allendale Counties will be very lucky- these are three of the finest young men I have EVER met!

Down

Am really down today- feelings are hurt and I feel almost betrayed.I try to be a giving person- I will help anyone who asks for my assistance if I can, or to the extent of my ability. Amazed how much a person can hurt by such a simple act or request. Its gonna take me some time to get over this- and I will- but I will remember.

Lofty goals

As some of you may have read- I wrote an article for The Charleston Golf News about a wonderful young man named Ricky Martin. Rcky is one of the neatest young men I have met in a long time. And he is autistic. Now he has taken up a challenge to help raise money for The First Tee® Organization. He believes in setting his goals high, and he has done a great job of reaching them so far. If you have a few dollars you would like to donate to Ricky and The First Tee®, check out Ricky's website- http://rickymartin.bbnow.org/ Help him meet his goal!

On doing the right thing.

We just returned home after a few awesome days at Myrtle Beach for the 2012 ‘Cruisin the Coast’ bike rally. It is a favorite of ours- and we almost didn't make it this week due to a tummy ailment.

While there, we did the usual obligatory things- check out the vendor tents at Barefoot, visit the local Harley shop, people watch at the Beaver Bar and Suck Bang Blow , and take in our favorite bands- Rebel Son and Highway to Hell.

Two things happened that deal with doing the right thing.

The first happened Thursday night. Mark and I had parked our bikes side by side in one regulation parking space. We decided while going to dinner that we only wanted to take one bike. Since Marks is a bit bigger , we took his, leaving my bike locked and legally parked in the space.

On arriving home several hours later, it seemed some brainless idiot decided that he needed that space more than I did, and had parked his full size Dodge Caravan in the space- well, half in my space and against another car as well. How they got out of the car is beyond me, but in their quest to get out of the vehicle, the driver had opened his door and hit the right side of my bike- striking and bending up my peg. Did he leave a note or say ANYTHING? No- of course not- Thanks to the SC Highway patrol the offending ass is getting 2 tickets, one for improper parking and one for leaving the scene. Oh, and he has to replace my Kuryakyn pegs.

The second event took place Saturday- as we were shopping at Barefoot. For those of you who know me- I am a techno-geek. Always have to have the latest and greatest. I found a really cool ‘toy’ after we got some new chrome for my bike. ( I know- really- didn’t you think I could not add any more chrome to my ride?) I found some really cool sunglasses that take digital pics as well as video- the applications are endless- I can video my rides, my golf ball flight path, flights at work- (Only when NOT pt loaded! LOL) , concerts, the uses are truly endless. The woman at the booth and I had chatted about the device on Friday, and I returned on Saturday to purchase them. I filled out the warranty form, she showed me everything that came with, we chatted for a few more minutes, and then Mark and I left.

As we were packing our purchases away on the bikes, I went for my keys and found a thick wad of $20’s in my back pocket. Immediately I realized it was the money for my sunglasses- I had forgotten to pay her, and she had forgotten to ask as well. We got everything secured and quickly walked back over- Mark grabbed her and in his wry comedic way- told her we already had a problem with the glasses. She looked a bit shocked and I handed her the money- in the confusion of getting my purchase ready and trying to help another customer- she realized what happened.

We didn’t have to go back- I could have pocketed the money and said ‘Oh well’- her loss. But karma has a way of coming back to haunt those who don’t play by the rules. In the end, I hope Mark and I helped restore her faith in people. She wants me to send her some video- and we will happily oblige. It’s about doing whats right.

The Get out of Jail Free Meme- Sunday Stealing!

The Get Out of Jail Free Meme, Part One

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. Let's go!!!

Today we ripped off a blogger named Pookie 808 called Pookie808.We will do it in two parts. Where she got it, we have no idea. But this is someone who could not come up a separate screen name and a blog name. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Get Out of Jail Free Meme, Part One

1. When you're home alone, do you still close the door when you use the restroom? That would be no

2. If you have to go grocery shopping, would you rather go alone or with someone? Usually go with MArk- that way we remember EVERYTHING- otherwise I forget something.

3. It's your best friends birthday, would you buy them a gift even though they didn't buy you one for yours. Gifts aren't tit for tat- they are expressions of friendship-

4. You win the lottery. Lump sum or small payments over a period of time? Why? Depends on the amount- if it was mega millions- send me a check every month- otherwise- give it all to me.

5. Do you like your music loud or at a reasonable level? rockin LOUD!!!

6. Are you a beach person or a snowy mountain person? Hello- I live in Charleston SC- what do you think? Sand between my toes!

7. When do you brush your teeth? When I get up, before I go out, before I fog to bed, when they feel like they need it

8. Can you watch scary movies alone? I don't do scary movies

9. Soft bed or firm? And in fantasy land, who's in it with you? More firm than soft....and in fantasy land- Mark Harmon....yum

10. Would you rather stay home all day, or be out and about? I am an out and about kinda gal!

11. What's one of your worst memories (that you are comfortable sharing)? Christmas Eve 1978- cr wreck with my dad- I was driving, he died-

12. Do you like to keep the peace or be confrontational? I like peace and harmony- NO DRAMA

13. Are you more likely to be with a large group of people or a few close friends? Usually a person or two

14. What are your plans for October? October? It is May- but I do believe that is fall bike week and Halloween- just saying!

15. If money were not a problem, where would you like to live? On the beach in Benalmadena Spain

16. What is your ideal profession? I have the ideal profession- flight nurse- I love what I do!

17. Are you (or were you) close to your Mom and Dad? I was very close to my parents- wish I could see them just one more time

18. What is one fear that you can't seem to overcome? Fear of heights- such as a tall escalator, standing somewhere with nothing to hold onto way up high

19. Are you good at math? I am incredibly awesome at math!

20. Editor's note. There is no question 20. It is sort of like getting a "Get out of Jail Free" card. We will do 21 to 40 next time. Peace & love!

Now, Link up and keep Sunday Stealing going!

Young Charleston Boy Uses The First Tee Program to Overcome Autism

Written for www.charlestongolfnews.com







Two years ago, Perry Green, Director of Instruction at The Golf Club at Wescott Plantation, was giving a lesson to a few ladies out at Wescott Plantation. When they arrived to the third hole, they noticed a young boy who was selling golf balls from the back yard of his house. When Perry asked the young boy what he was going to do with the money he gets from selling the golf balls, the young boy shyly said, “I am going to use the money to get some range balls and take golf lessons.” Needless to say, Perry Green bought him out of golf balls that day.


Fast forward to a few months later when Perry is leaving the driving range at Wescott Plantation and runs into Jim Martin and his twelve-year-old son, Ricky. Jim explains that Ricky has been saving his money and wants to take golf lessons. Jim had told his son that he would match Ricky dollar for dollar on the money that he earned selling golf balls. Ricky, with the help of his father, made enough money to purchase a few lesson and range balls.


During his first lesson, Perry remembers Ricky soaking everything up like a sponge. Hold your club like this, stand like this, and keep your head down. He never had to tell him anything twice. During the lesson, he could see Jim Martin down the driving range. Ricky’s dad was obviously emotional watching his son take his first lesson. Perry walked over to him, and the rest of the story came into focus. “Ricky,” his dad explained, “is autistic. He was diagnosed at age three.” Perry learned that Ricky had problems with communicating appropriately, socializing and developing life skills. To take a golf lesson and do well was a breakthrough for Ricky. It was as if golf made things “click” for the young man.


Not long after, Perry introduced Ricky and his father to The First Tee® program (www.thefirsttee.org ), a program developed to introduce kids to the game of golf and teach them life skills and character education as well. Ricky began the program and has soared since he started. You see, it isn’t just golf lessons. The First Tee® program has testing to progress to each level, tests on golf skills, golf knowledge and life skills. Ricky started at the very beginning, the “PLAYer’. When Ricky started, he was shy, quiet and non-communicative with others. Ricky would not look at others in the eye, initiate conversation, or socialize. His dad remembers on family sports outings such as bowling or putt-putt golf, Ricky would cheer against everyone. As he has progressed through the program, he has learned interpersonal skills such as the proper way to introduce himself and how to how to communicate with others. He has also learned about self-management, goal setting, and resiliency skills to help him adapt and overcome challenges. He has also learned about good sportsmanship and complimenting others on shots or putts. Coach Perry and his dad both agree that Ricky has become a new person. He has rapidly worked through The First Tee® program, and now has reached the ‘Eagle’ level. He is only one of three young people in the Charleston area to achieve this status.




As an ‘Eagle’, Ricky has truly soared. He is no longer shy or afraid to communicate with others. He greets you with a firm handshake, looks you in the eye, and says “pleased to meet you,” and he means it. He carries on conversations with well thought-out comments and answers to questions. When asked what it took to get to the ‘Eagle’ status, he explained that to pass into Eagle, he had to hit a number of drives 150 yards or better into the fairway, make certain type of approach shots that usually were between clubs as well as show proficiency in chipping and putting. THEN, he took written tests on the rules of golf and another on life skills. But he isn’t content with Eagle- he wants to be an Ace- and he will most likely attain that goal sooner than later. Ricky very rarely misses any time on the course. He gets home from school at 4:30 pm, and if his parents aren’t available to drive him over to the clubhouse, he puts his golf bag on his back, jumps on his bike, and pedals over to make sure he makes it to his First Tee® program.


Fast forward to today when I caught up with him playing the back nine at Wescott. The young man exudes confidence and a clear passion for a game that frustrates many adults. He has a great swing that he says is his own. “I do what works for me, instead of trying to imitate someone else’s swing,” he told me. He likes Bridgestone and Taylor-Made balls, and he plays with a set of cut down 1977 Ping clubs- the first year they came out- complete with persimmon woods. When asked if he could have any new clubs on the market, he replied with, “I would have to test everything out to find what works best for me.”


Since Ricky has started First Tee®, he has worked at the Nationwide Tour at Daniel Island twice, and while he would like to work the PGA Championship, he is a year too young. While he enjoys watching the Golf Channel, most days you will find him playing the game instead of watching it. He says he likes Phil Mickelson the best, and when asked what course he would like to play, he didn’t pick Pebble Beach or St. Andrews, but rather Bay Hill in Orlando (Arnie, are you reading this?). When he isn’t playing golf, he is an 8th grade student at Oakbrook Middle School and hopes to make the golf team at Fort Dorchester High School next year.


And he shot a 114 today.