Paramedics rarely know patient outcome continued from p.20 Newton and Zwolman began CPR and shocked MacKenzie twice with a defibrillator before regaining a pulse. MacKenzie was taken into hospital where he was successfully treated for the blockage of one of his arteries. Those present also heard the story of Laurie Collis who on Sept. 1, 2016 at 6 a.m., suddenly went into labour at her Milton home. Paramedics Lukas Bebjak and Catherine Weigel were called to the residence where they quickly determined the baby was coming too quickly for Collis to be taken to hospital. Weigel and Bebjak were able to remove the umbilical cord, which had wrapped itself around the baby's head, and assisted with the delivery. A healthy baby boy named Calvin was born at 7:20 a.m. The crew then clamped the cord and asked a very anxious father if he would like to cut it. Paramedic Sarah Braun arrived on the scene to further assess the baby and transport him to hospital. Mother and baby were reunited in hospital a short time later. Halton Director of Paramedic Services Greg Sage said local paramedics deliver 30-40 babies each year. Another miracle was performed in Burlington on Nov. 16, 2013 when paramedics saved Vince Basile following a terrible accident. Basile had been using a cherry picker to put up Christmas lights for a neighbour when the equipment malfunctioned and catapulted him to the driveway below. Bystander Anna Lotesto saw what happened and rushed to Basile. She began CPR and had someone call 911. Paramedics Tony Chapman, Jeff Miski and Alain Vaillant arrived on the scene and found Basile with no vital signs. They would shock him with a defibrillator three times before regaining a pulse. "Witnesses at the scene noted that the medics worked so hard and didn't give up," said Frankish. Basile was transported to hospital with a serious head injury. He would spend five days in a coma and nearly two months in hospital before returning home to his family. Many of the individuals rescued in these stories, including Basile, attended the ceremony. Sage said that gesture meant a lot to the paramedics who rarely know a patient's outcome after they are dropped off at the hospital. He also said many others were worthy of the recognition those present at the ceremony had enjoyed. "Our paramedics have an impact on every patient they touch on a daily basis," said Sage. "I would suggest that an argument could be made that we could be celebrating more than 200 paramedics tonight for the difference they have made in the lives of so many in the community." 27 | Thursday October 12, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insidehalton.com Open your senses to what others have experienced. Plum'S food ShoP iS now oPen! We serve fresh breakfast & lunches daily Take-out only until 2:00, Monday - Friday We offer full service corporate catering Celebrating 13 years 447 Speers Rd, unit 9 · 905-844-7110 www.plumcatering.ca Free ½ hour consultation and reduced rates for packages. Protect your estate by ensuring your Wills and PoWers of attorney are uP to date! 1540 Cornwall Rd. Suite 205, Oakville · 905-844-0464 · oakvillefamilylawyer.ca A FuSion oF JAPAneSe & chineSe cuiSine in the heArt oF oAkviLLe! ALL YOU CAN EAT Lunch or Dinner 2017 Diamond Award Winner for Best Sushi! RESIDENCE OPENING DECEMBER 2017 TORONTO ALL STAR BIG BAND EVENT OCTOBER 22 · 1 - 4 PM OAKVILLE CONFERENCE CENTRE 2515 WYECROFT ROAD FOR TICKETS CALL STEPHANIE AT 289-681-2798 OR TERESA AT 289-681-4654 Tickets $25 each RSVP by: Monday October 16th All proceeds to: Wish of a Lifetime Foundation PRESENTATION CENTRE Westoak Trails Plaza 2983 Westoak Trails Blvd. Oakville Book Your holiday Party today 280 North Service Road W. @ Dorval Oakville 905-338-6228 call us for www.august8.ca reservations 10% oFF Dinner only. cash only & with this ad.