An Outstanding Young Woman

To the Editor:

Yesterday, April 3 at 3:15 pm, I was involved in a car accident in Newtown. The fire department and ambulance were called to the scene. I was brought to Danbury Hospital ER where I was found to be well enough to go home. Today at home I am thinking about the accident, dealing with insurance, car rentals, etc, yet, I am thinking especially of the very professional, kind, and compassionate Sandy Hook and Newtown volunteer fire and ambulance personnel and Newtown police who attended me.

One EMT stands out in my mind, Chelsea. She was patient, attentive, professional, and comforting, and she is a senior at Newtown High School. I contacted the high school guidance office, who told me that they could not release her name. I contacted the ambulance crew, who also informed me that because of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, they too could not release her name. I was, however, assured that both the school and the ambulance crew would know who she was since she did take her EMT course at Newtown High school.

I work in Region 12 at Shepaug Valley High School, and I recognize outstanding students when I meet them. Chelsea is outstanding. In her very busy life, between her academic coursework, college application process, EMT coursework and now volunteer work on the ambulance crew, she finds time to serve her community with selfless dedication and compassion. I found her to be exactly the person who I needed at one of the most vulnerable times in my life.

Chelsea told me on the ambulance ride that she will be attending nursing school in the fall. In her very young life she has already helped to make the world a better place and she will continue doing so for the rest of her life. Her parents, her school, and the ambulance corps must be commended for instilling in her this sense of duty and responsibility, as well as creating the opportunity for Chelsea to shine. Thank you so much Chelsea.

Sincerely,

Paula O. Lazeski

181 Tophet Road, Roxbury                                                April 4, 2008