“Just try not to move.â€? His words made little sense as I drifted in and out of consciousness. “We’re going to take care of you, Bob.â€?

“What happened?â€? My voice bubbled through the mix of blood and drool, as if I were trying to speak while treading water.

His steady hand gripped my shoulder, “there’s been an accident. But you’re going to be ok.â€? My eyes started to focus more clearly and I could see the compassion in his eyes.

“My legs. So much pain.â€? I grasped at my thighs again, and his grip tightened, pushing me back against the railing.

“It’s about time.â€? Two more EMTs came running up behind the medic. “Ok, Bob, we’re going to get you on this stretcher nice and easy. Then we’ll get you some morphine for the pain.â€? He turned to the other two, “let’s do this.â€?

One of them strapped a brace around my neck, immobilizing my head. They laid me down on my back, and lifted me onto the stretcher. I screamed as the pain in my legs exploded. “Hold on buddy,â€? a tap on my shoulder as we rolled down to the ambulance.