AM I A FIREMAN YET ? PLEASE READ VERY SPECIAL
 

THIS WAS SENT TO ME AND TOUCHED ME SO MUCH IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES WHICH DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN , MAKES YOU REALISE THE SMALL PROBLEMS IN LIFE ARE JUST THAT SMALL AND YOU SHOULD LIVE EACH AND EVERY DAY TO YOUR FULLEST

Am I A Fireman Yet??

In Queensland , Australia , a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old
Son, who was dying of terminal leukaemia. Although her heart was filled with
Sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination.

Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & fulfil all his dreams.

Now that was no longer possible. The leukaemia would see to that. But she
Still wanted her son's dream to come true.

She took her son's hand and asked, "Ben, did you ever think about what you
Wanted to be once you grew up?

Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"

"Mummy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up."

Mum smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local fire Station in Brisbane , where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Queensland .

She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give
Her 6 year old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son
Ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman
For the whole day.

He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire
Calls, the full Monty!

And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with
A real fire hat - not a toy -one with the emblem of the Queensland Fire &
Rescue Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.

They're all manufactured right here in Brisbane , so we can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Ben, dressed him in his uniform and
Escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting truck.

Ben got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire
Station.

He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Brisbane that day and Ben
Got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines that
Day.

He was also videotaped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true, with all the Love and attention that was
Lavished upon him, so deeply touched Ben, that he lived three months longer
Than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head
Nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone,
Began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Ben had spent as a fireman, so she called the
Fire Station and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform
To the hospital to be with Ben as he made his transition.

The Officer in charge replied, "We can do better than that.

We'll be there in five minutes.

Will you please do me a favour? When you hear the sirens screaming and see
The lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system, that there is not
A fire? It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more
Time. And will you open the window to his room?

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and
Extended its ladder up to Ben's third floor open window--------

16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Ben's room.

With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how
Much they LOVED him.

With his dying breath, Ben looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am
I really a fireman now?"

"Ben, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the O.I.C
Said. With those words, Ben smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my
Hand all day, and the angels have been singing.." He closed his eyes one
Last time.

FOR ALL THE KIDS IN THIS WORLD THAT HAVEN'T BEEN GIVEN THE CHANCE TO LIVE , WE LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU

RE: AM I A FIREMAN YET ? PLEASE READ VERY SPECIAL
 

HATS OFF to the brisbane,aus. FD, and to all who go above and beyond the call of duty,It's HERO'S actions like these that also save our inner souls and self-respect for others.

RE: AM I A FIREMAN YET ? PLEASE READ VERY SPECIAL
 

i also posted this in the rc car off topic forum and in the first post i was shot down as it may of been "fabricated" if it is true or not doesn't matter as it is about the kids and families who have to deal with it and them being heros in them selves, , the people are real and kids are effected every day with terible diseases and it is something close to me as i to have unfortunatly had deal with the horribleness of cancers so please take it as it is intended , in that I feel for everyone who has ever had there life cut short , , thanks

RE: AM I A FIREMAN YET ? PLEASE READ VERY SPECIAL
 

This brought a tear to my eyes too. You see I lost one of my sons a few years ago. Thank you to all fire fighters around the world who put your life on the line for us.

RE: AM I A FIREMAN YET ? PLEASE READ VERY SPECIAL
 

That is a touching story. I got the American version of that in the e-mail from my sister about 5 years ago.

It goes to show how short life can be and that we need to live it to the fullest. Do what you want to do, work hard to afford it and always make time for everyone in your life. Don't pas the opurtunity to tell you loved ones how you feel, and don't let arguments and fights get in the way of that kiss goodnight.

RE: AM I A FIREMAN YET ? PLEASE READ VERY SPECIAL
 

wow- just... wow
Those guys are legends- really nice story

RE: AM I A FIREMAN YET ? PLEASE READ VERY SPECIAL
 

Here is a link to the facts as reported by another website...

http://www.bdb.co.za/shackle/articles/wrong_firemen.htm

Snopes also verifies Pheonix Make a wish foundation as the location of origin.
http://www.snopes.com/glurge/fireman.asp

RE: AM I A FIREMAN YET ? PLEASE READ VERY SPECIAL
 

Hi,
Just my two cents worth: I work as a career firefighter for a large, full time, union, metropolitan FD near Chicago. I had read a story very similar to that one about a bunch of firefighters in Arizona & a very sick little boy. I thought about it for a bit and decided to do something good with it. I approached my Chief and asked for his permission to talk to the regional Make-A-Wish people. He wholeheartedly supported the idea. As incredible luck would have it, the regional coordinator lived within our district. I approached her and She was thrilled to have us form a partnership. Well, long story short, we have been hosting Make-A-Wish kids now for about ten years. Thank God there isn't a need for it everyday but we certainly do embrace them when one little guy (or girl) wishes to become a real life firefighter. I have the support of the Chief, the Commisioners (his bosses) my Battalion Chief and all the officers and firefighters and we go all out. Typically, the MAW coordinator gets in touch with me and I meet with the family first to see if its ok with them. I also try to find out what would be best for the child (how much activity he or she can handle) Then we plan the day out complete with us picking up our newest firefighter at their home with the fire apparatus, taking them to the main station, an official swearing in ceremony with a real commissioner, lunch at the firehouse with the family and our newest firefighter, doing some type of fire related activity, and of course don't forget they also ride with us to the calls! After doing it all these years I still honestly do not know whom gets a bigger kick out of it, the MAW child, his family or us. Whats the payoff for us? I get paid back a thousand time fold by seeing the smiles. The smiles on the kids faces and the smiles on the parents & siblings. To know we are doing something to help the child is a payoff that money simply cannot buy.

Anyway, some of these stories may very well be urban legend, I don't know. But, I also know that the story I am relating to you all is very true. I also have all of the respect in the world for the Make A Wish organization. They are so kind hearted and so giving of themselves it makes me believe in mankinds humanity. In my job I truely do see some of the worst in mankind but with these people I also get to work with what I believe are the best in mankind.

Anyway, thats my two cents worth. I will stand down off the soapbox now.

Pete

RE: AM I A FIREMAN YET ? PLEASE READ VERY SPECIAL
 

God bless all emergency service personnel worldwide, and to those fireman that helped that little lad I salute you.
Hero's every one of em, and what i truly can't understand here in the UK there are evil minded idiots that actually call out these brave men, and women on bogus calls just so they can attack them with stones, bottles, and even molotov cocktails.
It would be justice indeed if those morons actually needed the fireman but they didn't arrive because of some other bogus call out.
What do you all think on this?.