The Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority (KCEAA) averages between 137 to 180 calls per day. That breaks down to a call every 10 minutes. When responding to someone in need of help, only the basic information is provided about what is happening and who needs support. It falls to the EMTs who arrive on the scene to make a quick assessment of the best approach for providing aid and comfort.
In certain situations, EMTs might be called to help a child with intellectual or developmental disabilities. When a child with special needs is in distress, they can quickly become overwhelmed by the sound of sirens and the swarm of attention. That will only compound their struggles. That is why it is so important to make those kids as comfortable as possible so that the EMTs can provide their exceptional care. Thanks to a generous donation by the Sean McGinley Memorial Fund, many of those kids will have a much better experience with an EMT.
Recently, 40 Emergency Sensory Kits were delivered to KCEAA to stock on their emergency vehicles. These kits include such vital items as weighted blankets, noise cancelling headphones, sensory/fidget items, and other communication support that can go a long way towards reducing the anxiety for those special kids when they’re in trouble. That will make the EMTs’ jobs go a lot smoother.
A Lasting Legacy
This is one of the many ways that the Sean McGinley Fund has helped the Charleston community. Sean McGinley was a dedicated law partner at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC. He was also a devoted family man and a good friend, always there to lend a helping hand. The fund was established after Sean’s passing in 2022 to ensure that his legacy of community support would continue.
The small acts of kindness provided by the sensory kits donated in his name are the perfect example of what Sean was all about. You don’t have to move mountains to change the world; you just have to be kind to others and find ways to help those who need a little boost.
