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HeroicStories #841: Elves On a Ladder Truck
Reaching more than 37,000 subscribers in 118 countries, this is...
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HeroicStories #841: 25 December 2011 www.HeroicStories.org
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Elves On a Ladder Truck Story Editor:
by Thomas Horne Joyce Schowalter
Maryland, USA
December 24, 1988 our firehouse ambulance was racing in response to
a baby being shaken out a window three stories in the air. Police
were also en route. Dispatch relayed that the baby was being used to
extort money from the mother. On arrival we indeed saw a baby being
waved out a window by his feet three stories up.
As we ran up the stairs my partner said, "Distract the guy for a
minute, I'll get the baby."
A crying 5-year-old child opened the door, "He's hurting my
brother!" I entered, speaking as calmly as I could. Wild-eyed, the
assailant said, "Don't touch me, cop, or I smash the brat."
I said, "I'm a firefighter. I only want to check the baby."
Suddenly a pair of hands appeared and grabbed the child. From the
apartment's kitchen, my driver had gone out the window and reached
across to grab the child -- three stories up.
WildEyes looked at his now-empty hands, charged past me and escaped.
Breathing raggedly, I surveyed a desperately bleak room. One bare
bulb, broken furniture, an empty drawer for a crib. My partner came
in holding the baby very close to himself, saying over and over,
"He's all right. He's all right."
We gathered up mother and two other children. Downstairs we met an
army of police officers. As we loaded up the family, the officers
took the perpetrator's description. With the madman's picture etched
into my brain, I described him from top to bottom.
After transporting the family to children's hospital, we took
another call. When the officers caught the assailant he fought,
bruised two officers, and ended up needed stitches.
Back at the station, a senior firefighter asked me for every detail.
When I finished, he said, "You can't fix the world but you can mend
parts of it," and got our shift together. "We have a family to care
for," he said.
"It's Christmas eve! Most stores are closed," we chorused. The
captain replied, "I think this shift could pull it off on Christmas
day." No one argued further.
Groups went to the grocery, a toy store, and a child care supply
store. Between us, we assembled Christmas for a family that needed
everything. Next item, the only unpurchased Christmas tree left from
our department's tree sale fund-raiser. The crew shortened that poor
scraggly thing and trimmed it to a decent shape. A 24-hour pharmacy
yielded lights and ornaments.
We called the hospital and found the baby's evaluation would take
several more hours; the family would be sent home in the morning.
At 11:00 p.m. we were finally ready. But back at the apartment
building, the apartment door had a double-cylinder jimmy-proof lock.
We laddered the apartment, and hauled all the supplies up the
ladder.
Two different police officers came by with more items. We all agreed
that at least for one day, the baby's brother and sister and yes,
even his mom, could believe in Santa Claus.
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Our last story, "You Are Not Alone" (#840) described the help and
inspiration that a college assistant dean gave to two young students
who had both lost their fathers.
Jo-Ann in Pennsylvania responded: "This was a GREAT story! This
story highlighted not only Doris's heroism, but also the impact the
two students had on each other's lives. We often don't realize the
effects we have on the people around us, but little deeds may have
profound consequences."
Chris in Australia adds: "Excellent timing on this post -- I don't
know if it's intentional or not. The Christmas/ holiday period can
easily become either saccharine or tragic (or, in a horrible way,
even both at once). HeroicStories maintains a measure of stability,
reminding us that there are true heroes all around us."
Walt in Maryland sent a comment inspired by "In the Hearts of
Mankind" (#839). (Full story on our archives:
http://heroicstories.com/archives.html .) Walt: "Years ago I drove
an 18 wheeler, hitting almost every state in the union. I loved the
freedom and chance to see parts of the country I'd never seen. One
tip I learned from experienced fellow drivers-- always acknowledge
others and show appreciation. In rest areas, I made a point to thank
the attendant for the good job they do keeping it neat and clean.
Many times the contractor hires mentally disabled or other
marginalized persons. No one graduates high school wanting to be a
rest room attendant. Just stop and tell them "Thank You". It can
make a difference in their day. I included a warehouse foreman who
helped out in a crunch, a deli worker who came outside to give me
directions, and a barber who stayed open late so I could get a
haircut before heading home for Christmas. Everyone wants to feel
appreciated. You can make a difference and it won't cost you a
cent."
Rayna in New Zealand wrote, "Thank you for HeroicStories. They mean
so much to me and I know that all your subscribers would say the
same thing."
Joyce Schowalter, Networker in Chief
*** and Reverend Jack in Florida
Co-Conspirators to Make the World a Better Place
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