Second Chance

One of the worst days we experienced while trying to help Lauren as she struggled with mental health issues and eventually addiction was the day we learned that LaLa was addicted to heroin.

That day started like any other Sunday for our family. The only difference was that Lauren had spent the night over someone’s house. I can think of only one other time in her life when she did that, she always liked to be home. As the day unfolded, we began to understand why she stayed out that night.

During our church service, about 10:30AM, Nereida (LaLa’s mom) received a call from the hospital. The voice on the other end said, “Your daughter passed out at Dunkin Donuts and she needs to be picked up from the ED.”

When church was over we got into our car and headed to the hospital expecting to take Lauren home from the ED. When we arrived, things began to unravel and didn’t seem congruent to what we were told. Doctors were assessing whether LaLa should be released or not. The police came to speak to Lauren, and eventually Lauren was told that because her lung had collapsed she would be required to stay overnight.

Once the Doctor left, I turned to Lauren and asked: “Sweetheart, what is going on, nobody gets a collapsed lung because they passed out, what has happened here today?” As tears began to well up in her eyes, head hung low, she whispered “I overdosed on heroin.”

The only other words I ever heard that impacted me more were spoken on the day LaLa passed away when my wife called to tell me “Lauren is dead.” I was overwhelmed.

Hearing Lauren speak those words was numbing.

About a week later I found myself at an EMS unit, thank you cards in hand, asking if they could pass the cards on to the three off duty workers that saved my daughter’s life. Of course, HIPAA laws did not allow me to know who they were, but I did want to thank these people who made a choice to engage. They gave us a second chance. In the note I found it difficult to express how grateful I was, to God of course, but also to the three people who got involved, and gave us another 355 days with our daughter. One of the individuals replied in an email. You can read the email and my response below:

On Aug 21, 2016, at 6:03 AM

Hello Mr. Provenzano,

I wanted to let you know how much your card meant to me.

My sisters life was also saved by EMS almost 6 years ago and that’s what motivated me to begin a career in this rewarding profession.

I am so happy to hear you’re daughter is doing well! May you all cherish every day a little more.

I have been working in EMS for over 4 years now in various services in ##### county and I can honestly say ###### is truly a special place.

I am also in my second week of a Paramedic academy and I keep your card in one of my binders as an inspiration and a reminder as to why I do this job.

We don’t often get thanked for what we do and it’s always a lifelong memory when someone does.

Thank you again!

#####

On Sept, 9, 2016 at 9:04 AM

Dear ####### … Thank you so much for replying to my wife and my expression of thanks … we are very happy that it is meaningful to you since we know there is nothing that can ever repay what you have done for us.

Lauren is doing very well and making great progress, she has had some challenging days but is working very hard at getting the help she needs and we can see it is working.

Her mom and I take very much to heart your admonition to “cherish” every day.

It was nice to learn a little bit about you and how you came to work in EMS, its a great story, and a great way to give back.

How exciting to hear that you are making the effort to learn more so that you can become even better at what you do.

Having taken several courses myself I know how challenging that can be while living a full-time life. I am a Pastor and my wife and I believe in the power of prayer. We will keep praying for you as you continue your studies and use your talents to help others

We are very thankful ##### … our best to you and your family.

Vinny and Nereida Provenzano

Each of us has a choice every day. We can stay on the sidelines or we can engage. When two of these people walked by Lauren on the bench, they could see Lauren was not well. They asked the individual with her if she was ok. They where told LaLa was fine; she was getting sleep so she could go to work. The two EMS workers went into a store but felt very uneasy. Within minutes they came back out to see LaLa alone on the bench, unresponsive. We are grateful they engaged.

When our loved one is fighting a mental health issue, addiction, or anything else we must never make the choice to live life on the sidelines, we have to engage and get involved.

Just short of one year after this day (355 days) we lost our beautiful daughter to a heroin overdose. In that year God did amazing things in our lives, especially Lauren’s, that give my wife, my son, and me great comfort. I can not imagine how different everything would be if LaLa died on that bench that day. If those three people made the choice to just go on with their lives, we would have missed our second chance.

We have no idea how powerful the impact of one action can be in the lives of people around us. Get involved!

This weeks featured image is by Brooke Shaden, it is not titled