I cried all the way through this incredible account of humanity at its unparalleled height of heroism. My only child, who worked in an ER in a smaller, highly dysfunctional, branch of a UPMC hospital, took her life last September. UPMC never even bothered to put up a plexiglass barrier for the first contact admissions people during covid. Mgmt talked about it, but that was all. Unbelievable!! We will never know if she had a brain disturbance, perhaps from a pre-vaccine bout of covid, or an overwhelming depression, as she jumped into Niagara Falls. Her body was found 27 days later, so an autopsy was impossible. We texted or talked almost every day, but she never expressed the tragic depths of her despair. This piece drives home the lesson that kindness isn't a cure, but it sure as hell is paramount to navigating a pandemic. I will not forgive or forget those who went out of their way to make this tragedy even more unbearable than it was. As a deeply spiritual human being I wish them no harm, but shun them as an unsavory vexation to the spirit.
I was following you on Twitter when you went to NYC. I appreciate getting to read the fuller story of your experiences. Well done to everyone who stepped up during that scary, confusing time. You had your own personal Aha moment and you’ve looked so much healthier and happy!
Thank you so much for this. As a physician, I am so grateful for everything and anything everyone did to help, especially during those hard early days. And if you did write a book about this, I would buy it. (And as aunt to KHS student, Go Pioneers!)
Thank you so much for your compassion, courage, and service to others. The pain is there, but I am at peace. People like you, and those you wrote about here, are a source of comfort and heartfelt inspiration. Your kind words are appreciated, FP.
I cried all the way through this incredible account of humanity at its unparalleled height of heroism. My only child, who worked in an ER in a smaller, highly dysfunctional, branch of a UPMC hospital, took her life last September. UPMC never even bothered to put up a plexiglass barrier for the first contact admissions people during covid. Mgmt talked about it, but that was all. Unbelievable!! We will never know if she had a brain disturbance, perhaps from a pre-vaccine bout of covid, or an overwhelming depression, as she jumped into Niagara Falls. Her body was found 27 days later, so an autopsy was impossible. We texted or talked almost every day, but she never expressed the tragic depths of her despair. This piece drives home the lesson that kindness isn't a cure, but it sure as hell is paramount to navigating a pandemic. I will not forgive or forget those who went out of their way to make this tragedy even more unbearable than it was. As a deeply spiritual human being I wish them no harm, but shun them as an unsavory vexation to the spirit.
😭😭😭😭 “Officer Friendly” really got me. Thanks so much for sharing this incredible story about a bunch of amazing people
Amazing story, Mr. Wellman--thank you for your service once again!
From a fellow Kirkwoodian...thank you for this beautiful story and for your selfless service. Happy Easter to you!
I was following you on Twitter when you went to NYC. I appreciate getting to read the fuller story of your experiences. Well done to everyone who stepped up during that scary, confusing time. You had your own personal Aha moment and you’ve looked so much healthier and happy!
Thank you so much for this. As a physician, I am so grateful for everything and anything everyone did to help, especially during those hard early days. And if you did write a book about this, I would buy it. (And as aunt to KHS student, Go Pioneers!)
An inspiring story, I hope you right the book. Where is the Larkin Field Hospital bell now?
Thank you so much for your compassion, courage, and service to others. The pain is there, but I am at peace. People like you, and those you wrote about here, are a source of comfort and heartfelt inspiration. Your kind words are appreciated, FP.
Thank you for all you do. You truly are one of the best of us, and a genuinely amazing person.