Last night after the Super Bowl, Rich and I took off in our car to go pick up our daughter Aislynn (12) from a friend’s house. It was almost 9:00pm, the streets were damp from rain, and hardly anyone was on the road. It was about a 15 minute ride to the friend’s house.
We picked her up and were on our way home when we saw three people standing in the mostly deserted street. Rich slowed down, and as we got closer we saw that there was a body lying in the street and a smashed bicycle about 20 feet away. We stopped our car and Rich got out while I stayed inside with Aislynn, Aria and Aiden. I could hear Rich explain to the three people that he was a paramedic, and someone said, “This just happened! A hit and run!”
I called 911 and gave them our location while Rich checked the man for injuries. Then I got out of the car, handed the phone to Rich so he could give medical details to the 911 dispatcher, and walked over to the man. I wasn’t sure how I could help, but it felt wrong to just stay in the car when someone was lying in the street, hurt. But when I saw the man up close I realized that he wasn’t just hurt; he was dying. There was blood coming out of his mouth, out of his nose, and out of his ears. He appeared to be unconscious and he was breathing in labored, raspy breaths.
Rich said not to move him because his spine could be injured. I felt so helpless. I remembered that we had blankets in our car and thought well, at least let’s make sure he’s warm until the ambulance can get here. Rich put a blanket over him. I wanted to to do more for him but there wasn’t much else we could do. I kept thinking, this is someone’s son. His mother has no idea that he is lying in the street right now and that her life has been forever changed, either by his death or by helping him live with a traumatic brain injury. What if this were my son and I couldn’t be with him? What would I want for him?
I’d want for him not to be alone. I’d want for him not to be afraid.
So I knelt down near his head and I spoke to him. I told him that we are getting help for him, that the ambulance would be here any second, that he’s going to be okay, that he’s not alone. With every raspy breath, blood would spray from his nose. And as much as that was hard to watch, I was so worried that his raspy breaths would stop. I just kept saying to him “you’re going to be okay, you’re not alone, we are here with you…” I wish I had known his name so that I could have said his name, too. People like to hear their names.
While I was talking to him, another man was gently holding the victim’s head in between his hands, and he, too, was speaking to him. I could hear him say, “Hang on, man…help is on the way.” I felt thankful for this man, for his gentle touch. That’s what I would want if it were my son. I would want for my son to be calmed by a human touch.
The police arrived, and then the fire department got there within minutes and took over his care. I backed away and watched from a distance while Rich briefed them on his condition, and I closed my eyes and silently prayed for this poor man. That’s what I’d want if it were my son. I would want someone to be praying for him. Soon we got back into our car and drove away. I was shocked at how easily we just got into our car and left. It felt wrong, to leave like that. But Rich said there was nothing more we could do.
We drove home mostly in silence, except for me. I kept saying things like, “That was awful” and “I feel so bad for that poor man” and Rich would just chime in with “Yep. It sucks” every now and then. I couldn’t get the man’s face out of my mind. I kept seeing all the blood coming from his head and pooling in a small puddle next to him. I kept hearing the raspy sounds of his breathing. Yet my husband was saying, “Yep, it sucks” as if we were discussing a bad movie.
And it then occurred to me. This is what he does for a living. He sees this stuff every day at work; people smashed up in cars, lying in the streets, blood and broken bodies. This is what he does!
We visit him at the station and it’s all fun and games and woo-hoo! our daddy is a fire fighter! The novelty of his job never wears off. As they say, everyone loves a fireman.
I think we are so removed from that part of his job that it’s hard to imagine the reality of what he deals with every day at work. It really is a lot of blood and broken bodies, a lot of sickness. Death.
I look at him now and think, how does he do it day after day? Because seeing it just once has had an effect on me. I assume you just get used to it. Rich explains that you don’t really “get used to it” but it’s more like you learn to let it go and move on. Because there’s always another call to go on, always another trauma victim. You do your job right then and there, and then you pass the person on to the doctors at the hospital; not your patient anymore. You move on.
I’m grateful that there are those who can do the job that medics do because it sure isn’t for everyone. It’s definitely not for me because I am having a hard time “moving on” from what I saw last night. I can’t shake it because I know that he is someone’s son, someone’s brother, possibly someone’s husband. He might even be someone’s father. He is everything to someone out there. And my heart hurts for them all.
This post is linked up over at Breakthrough Homeschooling
This is so tragic. Sending my best wishes. He’s lucky you were both there. On a day to day, what an amazing job your husband does. We all need everyday heroes. #MarvMondays
Wow, this brought tears to my eyes. Well done. Your husband is a brave man!
Paramedics are real life superheroes! Thanks for sharing!
such a great feeling to be in the right place at the right time… I was just in one of those situations thanks for sharing and god bless ur hubby!
Thank you so much for doing what you do! It moves mountains!
Thank you for stopping and caring for Steve. It seems that nowadays nobody would do what you did. They just take photos with their cellphone and move on. There is definitely a place in Heaven for your soul. Steve just bough our home on Pinafore, so I only knew him briefly. Bad things happen to good people all the time, as what has happened here.
Oh my gosh, what an incredible story. Prayers for this young man.
And for You and your husband Katrina.
God bless you and your husband for your great act of kindness and compassion <3
Your story touched my heart. Stephen is my nephew. It was so comforting to know you were with him at the accident. You and your husband were truly “GOD IN FLESH” that night! God Bless you for your kindness ,love and compassion ?????
Our Paramedics & Firemen are truly heros! Prayers for this man & his family.
His name is Steve Schenkenberger, he is a husband and father of 5 kids between 9 and 3 months old. He is between life and death. If you want to contribute to his hospital bills, here is the link :
https://www.plumfund.com/medical-fund/help-steve-schenkenberger
Thank you for sharing your story and being there when it happened
Crazy, this was my friend Steve. I’ve known him since first grade, introduced him to his wife and have watched him raise five children together! It’s quite a tradgity. I’ve heard that being spoken to right after a trama greatly improves brian function, so thank you so much for talking to him with such kind words! Thanks for putting a blanket on him too!
On behalf of the family I want to thank you for praying and staying with Steve and letting him know you were there and cared so deeply. Truly you were an instrument of God’s love.
Hi Katrina,
Thank you. Thank you and thank your husband for stoping and for being with our friend. You are right. He is someone’s son. He is someone’s brother. He is also someone’s husband and a father to 5 beautiful souls. He is also a great friend and all together an amazing human. Thank you
https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-For-Steve-1071411536320133/
You and your husband were angels sent for our dear friend. God bless you.
My husband is a firefighter/paramedic and your blog was hard but beautiful to read.
Thanks for rescuing my friend. He is a father of 5 young boys and a husband. I hear he is improving but still in coma.
That man is a husband, and he is also a father as well… to FIVE sons of his own (the youngest of which is only 3 months old ?). He is the provider for his family, and the spiritual leader for his family. Your timing, care, and prayers are greatly appreciated. ❤
If only you could have really met him!! He is a very humorus guy and a fantastic father to 5 and incredible husband! You are their angel! God sent you there that night to protect him! Our community is forever thankful! I can’t wait for you to meet them!
Thank you for stopping and responding. This man who was hurt is one of my sons best friends. And by now you know, a family man, a father of 5 boys, and an amazing DAD. Your post is linking to his FB now. This is how I found what you wrote.
Thank you for being an angel and stopping calling 911 and praying for him.
What a precious precious answer to anyone’s prayers. It brought tears to my eyes. You see, 38 years ago, a similar accident left my 26 year old sister in her car, at the mercy of who ever called for the police. thankfully the person, policeman who came and helped my sister was also able to pray for her and tell us later about her responses and how she was. I never forget how precious life is because of this time in my life. Thank you for your prayers. And continued prayers for a recovery for this Dad that you saved.
Thank you so much for your care of Steve. That was difficult to read, but a blessing just the same.
If any of your readers want to help the family, check out: https://www.plumfund.com/medical-fund/help-steve-schenkenberger
For updates on Steve’s progress, go to: https://m.facebook.com/prayforSteveSchenkenberger/
Thanks again, and God bless!
Carl Schenkenberger
Thank you for sharing your story. The injured man is a friend of a friends and I came across your blog reading about him.
What a blessing you came upon him and were able to be there until the ambulance arrived.
I too am the wife of a firefighter/paramedic. I too will never fully understand what he does at work. But like you, I am so very grateful that he does. I am so proud to be the wife (and the daughter) of someone I consider to be a hero. I know neither of them would see it that way. To them, it’s their job. As you said, after they “do their job” they must move on to the next patient or next call. I pray daily for my husband, his shift, their station, and men and women around the world who daily respond to calls of brokenness and tragedy. I’m lifting you Up in prayer today too as I pray for this man and your husband. Praying this draws you closer together.
Thank you again for sharing your very well written, heartfelt thoughts.
Thank you. You saved our friend. He is not out of the woods, but because of you and your husband and the other bystanders, he may have a chance to live. He is a father of five. A husband. A son. An uncle. A friend. His name is Steve and hordes of people are praying for him around the clock. Thank you for talking to him in his hour of greatest need. Thank you.
Thank you for caring for our Loved One on Sunday night! Praising God He sent you and your husband!
Steve is my husband’s cousin, so this was hard to read but I appreciate your heart for him so very much. So thankful that God sent you and your paramedic husband to be with Steve after the accident. I hope you can connect with him and his family.
The man you came across and helped on Sunday is my cousin. His name is Steve. He is indeed someone’s husband and 5 previous little boys’ daddy. Thank you for staying with him, talking to him, and especially for praying for him. It is greatly appreciated. If you’d like to see an update on how he’s doing, look up “prayers for Steve” on Facebook. Thank you again!
Autocorrect strikes again. That should be “precious” little boys. : )
Katrina, Hi, This is Heather Vasin from the Smash days, I am sure you have heard by now- but Steve, the man you found is the father of 5 young boys. My daughter is in class with one of his boys and when we heard about what happened, our hearts broke. Then I read it was you and Rich who found him and thought what a blessing that you were there to find & help Steve. Here is the fb page on his updates if you don’t already have it https://m.facebook.com/prayforSteveSchenkenberger/
Xo, The Vasin’s
This young man is Stephen. He is a loving son, brother, husband and father of 5 young childeren. I know his family would be very grateful for the support you gave him at the scene. We are all praying for his full recovery.
His name is Steve. He is in critical but stable condition. He is a husband and father of 5 gorgeous little boys.
His mother, two brothers and over 100 of his friends met to pray for him last night. As we prayed for Steve, we also thanked God for sending people like you and your husband to help him. It was a comfort to know that he was not alone and received medical attention as quickly as possible.
Thank you for being there. Thank you for helping and praying for our friend.
Bless you.
If anyone would like to continue to pray for him, or contribute to a fund to help pay for his medical care, there is a page set up for donations with a link to the Facebook page providing updates on his condition.
https://www.plumfund.com/medical-fund/help-steve-schenkenberger
My heart is in tears for you for what you experienced. How strong you were. You are a beautiful soul. The love you poured out was enough. You did enough. I pray you will find comfort as you navigate through your feelings. So grateful for our first responders as they do experience a lot more than we think or know.
Thank you so much for being there and doing what you could. We know Steve and his family and the kindness of strangers never goes unnoticed.
Thank you SO much! We know Steve, the man you saved. Not only is he someone’s son, but he also is the father of 5 young boys. Please keep sending prayers & healing energy that he makes it through this horrible accident & home with his family.
Thank God for you Katrina and may He pour out a special blessing and protection over you and your entire family! This man’s name is Steve, he’s a husband and a father of 5. I know because his son is in my sons class. I pray you find peace of mind knowing that your actions of extending compassion to a stranger is what made all the difference in the world. I am a nurse and also have to find ways to “move on” in what I see day to day. I pray more people would be inspired by you to help others regardless of the capacity, regardless of how big or small because God can use ALL of it. Because of you and your husband Steve is getting the care he needs. Continue praying Katrina because it was your prayer that started a chain reaction in heaven uniting even strangers to link shields on behalf of our brother in Christ. God Bless you and your husband!
Thank you Rich and Katrina for saving Steve! Here’s the link to donate to his medical funds if anyone here is able. Prayers are welcome and needed. He’s a loving husband, father of 5 and the sole income provider. Thank you again. Thank you. https://www.plumfund.com/medical-fund/help-steve-schenkenberger & Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/prayforSteveSchenkenberger/
Katrina,
The man’s name you stopped to care for is Steve. He is a father to 5 boys (all under 10yrs old), a husband, the son of a recent widow, and my younger brother.
Steve is alive!! He is still in a critical, comatose state – but he is alive!! We are filled with hope, both because of all the progress he’s already made medically, but more so because we believe God has been evident in the midst of this tragedy – beginning with the way He used you in such an unimaginable moment.
It gives us such comfort to know that he was not alone in the street, that instead he had the love of a mother, given by a stranger, standing in for family who could not be with Steve in his darkest moment.
There are no words or emotions that can communicate or contain the gratitude we feel for you and your husband and the significance of the role you’ve played in Steve’s story.
We want to thank you for helping save our brother, son, husband, father, friend.
With love and gratitude,
Steve’s older brother
Roy, my name is Rich and I’m not sure the words to comfort you and your family. Your brother is my brother from the experience. I pray for him every day and want you to know he was in a battle with life I see too much . When things settle down I would like to meet you and share why Steve and my family are so connected. Steve has Team Roldan and friends praying for him and his family.
Hi Roy,
FYI he above commenter is my husband and the off-duty fire fighter/paramedic who tended to your husband that night.
Thank you for sharing this. Thank you for your compassion. Thank you for being there for him when he needed comforting the most. God sent you and your husband as angels to this man and his family! The man you helped is the father to one of my students. I am amazed at the support that has been pouring in for this family. If you are interested in sharing a link for the medical fund that has been set up to help with hospital bills, I’d be happy to share it. Please let me know.
Thank you for your words and for sharing what happened. The man you found, Steve Schenkenberger, I’ve known since Jr. High. We haven’t stayed in direct touch but we run in the same circles, one of his sons is in my niece’s Kindergarten class. Thank you for stopping. Thank you for praying. Thank you for sharing your heart. Steve is surrounded by a mighty group of Christians believing in and praying for his full recovery. Please know you and your family are in my prayers as well, that’s a very traumatic event – praying God’s peace over you Katrina. Here’s a FB page w/ updates: https://www.facebook.com/prayforSteveSchenkenberger/
The man you helped is our cousin. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for laying yourself aside Sunday night and being with him in his need. And for praying. Especially for praying.
Thank you for your gentle heart, Katrina. You are right. That man laying on the pavement last night is a son, husband, father of five and cousin to my husband. Thanks for staying with him until the ambulance arrived and to your husband for the aid he gave. Our prayers are for a full recovery. He has a long road ahead.
Where did this happen? This might be my friend.
Thank you for sharing this. We know and love this man, Steve Schenkenberger. He’s the middle of three fabulous sons, an amazing husband, and father to five boys. We’re praying for him, and appreciate you praying with us.
I know this man who was injured.. He’s a friend of a friend. And yes he is a son, a husband and a father. Thank you for staying with him, for offering what support and comfort you could. Thank you to your husband. Please continue to pray for his recovery.
Thank you for staying with him and praying for him. That was incredibly brave, I’m not sure I could have done that. He is a father of 5 little boys that need him so desperately. Please keep praying for his recovery. God had you and your husband there at the perfect time to help him. Thank you.
Prayers for that man. Thank you to you and your husband for stopping and helping him. Not much more I can say on this post right now….it really has me thinking.
I am praying for that man and his family (wife and five sons). A Plumfund account has been set up to raise money for his medical expenses. I can’t imagine doing your husband’s job but am very thankful for all the first responders/heros.
Terrific, but chilling post.
Prayers for your dear husband and all of our first responders <3
Hi Katrina,
Your husband is a hero. Kudos to people like him. Praying for that man.
Coming across this sort of scene always leaves me shaken. We had a motorcyclist crash and die in front of our house in Hawaii. Lee and Mark ran out to help and saw him take his last breath. It was Mark’s first day home from college on Christmas break. It was so tragic and have kept him and his family in our hearts to this day.
Rich is one of the best. Anyone he cares for is lucky & I loved working with him because he was straightforward & matter of fact & smart. If anyone I love is ever hurt or sick I hope Rich is the one to take care of them. God bless him and his crew Always ❤
You always make me cry!!! Praying for this man.