Patient and Family Perspectives: Mike Turner

Name: Mike Turner

State: South Dakota

Why did you become a FAN? “Our oldest son had complex medical conditions and a kind doctor, nurse, or EMT often made an unbearable crisis into something manageable. I want to share those lessons with other EMS teams. If they can help other families shed fewer tears it’ll be worth it.”

What is the most important thing for emergency practitioners to know about caring for children in emergencies? “You’ve got a truly amazing heart. Don’t forget to use it because it’s your greatest strength. We’ve had EMS teams who shout orders and push us away. We’ve also experienced incredible acts of kindness and compassion like checking with us to see if we’re OK. It’s not always easy but the difference is immeasurable.