Just when things began to become familiar...

So, yesterday, payday, we took a ride into the city to go grocery shopping. All was well (but expensive) until the ride home. WE were cruising at 130 km and suddenly all traffic, all 5 lanes, came to a screeching stop. A car that was traveling in the opposite direction appeared to have been bumped by a car trying to go around him and spun him out into a light pole. This car was in the median and by the time we drove by people had already gotten out of their cars and were milling about. Luckily the man was traveling alone, unluckily his body had been split in two, just like his car. His body lay on the ground in between the two halves of the car...no one thought to cover the body. He was wearign a red and white checkered head dress the the Saudis do with a white robe. It took every ounce of strength not to stop. They warned us that helping the people can be construed as interfering with fate... what they call Allah's will. So, with the way they think obviously no one should wear a seatbelt, cause if you die, well, its Allah's will.

I didn't stop. I kept driving. The sunglasses I wore hid the tears welling up in my eyes. The car remained silent for a song or two. It wasn't natural for any of us in the car passing the scene and not helping, after all, thats what we do. We are firefighters, we help. That day we did not. It was even harder for me with my paramedic background. I still get a knot in my stomach when I think about the choice that I made. It was more than likely too late for that man, but I'll never know.

I did make a descision my ethical choice cannot be made for me by others. I don't believe that all people feel that way. I believe it is an understanding that our culture has with theirs. I found out that I was right.

Later that evening I had the honor and privilage to hang out with the Minister of Public Health of Kuwait. Where we live we have many important people. So on the weekends that all show up and are very friendly. According to this man, they welcome our help and he even asked me to act the next time I came accross the same scene. There is also a rumor that the Kuwaiti medics won't help women. This man told me that was not true and that was not the belief of the medical community, it seems these are the problems that go on on the street though. I have considered buying my own paramedic jump bag, so if again I see this I can do what I need to do. Help. Hope you are all well. I think of all of you. Feel free to email comments and questions. I welcome the communication. Love Me.