"I messed up"
Apparently those are the words of an air traffic controller in New York, after a plane collided with a firetruck.
Can you imagine how this person feels now? To know one mistake led to death, destruction?
Well, I don't have to imagine.
I know, because I made a mistake that caused the death of an elderly woman.
I was working in long term care, and I and another person were trying to lift the woman using a machine called a Hoyer lift when I made a mistake, she slipped off, and cracked her head on the base of the machine, and died.
Afterward, the supervisor told me normally such an incident would result in me being fired, but I had gone to her earlier and asked if I could get some extra training on using the machine, so as far as she was concerned, it was a failure by her not to get me that help, and so I kept the job, at least for a while.
So I know exactly how the controller feels.
Sighs, hugs appreciated, folks.
Comments
To Err Is Human
To forgive is divine. You cannot blame yourself for an accident, Dot.
Have a hug! or two!
Hi Dorothy
However hard it is to see the airport crash in news-feeds, we know it is much harder for you, as it reminds you of the accident that killed your patient.
You are very brave and very trusting to tell us this, to share your story with us.
It's said, and I know this is true, that "shared pain is lessened".
And some things, like death ... there just are no words. All we have is just sitting with the people affected.
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Another of your friends suggested talking to a counselor. Counselors have tools to help you 'think it through', to help you 'feel it through'.
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Please, (make yourself some) good luck.