Stuff I Wish They`d Taught Me in Class Part 11: Rooting for the Underdog

It's easy to cheer on the person who's doing well. We see it in who follows which sports team depending on how well they are doing in the standings, to 'cheering on' those we work with who seemingly have it all together.

I started out as one of the top dogs. I was the one everyone wanted to work with, whether it was on the shift I was on or the ambulance I was running out of. It was great to feel popular and wanted! There was nothing like opening up my e-mail and finding 10 requests for people who wanted to fill the opening left by a sick crew member. I enjoyed having the station full of people who just wanted to work with me to try to learn something from me, who wanted to spend time with me for whatever the reason. I'll admit it, it made my head swell. Some days, I'm sure my head was so big I couldn't get into the station, but I don't ever feel I let my ego get in my way. I felt like I treated everyone equally, giving all my support to everyone who needed it.

I was always the first one to hand out the pat on the back, fist pound, or a word of kindness when someone deserved it. Even if it was something as simple as bandaging a finger, I let that person know that what they did was excellent. It was never condesending, it was always, "Hey, thanks for (insert action here). You did a great job on it and it kept my hands free to get that line. Thanks so much."

That mentality whipped around our station like wildfire after a few months and soon we were all supporting and lifting one another up in the spirit of EMS. From the best medic to the slowest EMT, we all cheered for each other, even the underdog got the same lovin' the top dog did.

I never realized how important the simple action of rooting for the underdog was.

Until I was the underdog, I didn't realize that someones' career outlook rested on the idea that they were a good provider in the eyes of those around them. I never realized that, with a lack of support from both co-workers and management, that I could be miserable and absolutely loathe a job I once loved. Once I got someone in my corner, someone who was rooting for the underdog, things changed. I no longer felt like the outcast of the group, I felt like I truly belonged...I felt like a real medic again.

Sometimes it's hard to cheer for the underdog. We look at those who might not be as good as us at what we do as inferior. We see time and time again co-workers laughing at one another, teasing each other about our proven shortcomings without offering any assistance. Sure, we can constantly razz the EMT who isn't good at setting up IV sets for the Medic, but unless you support that EMT and try to teach them how to do it correctly, it'll never change. Rooting for the underdog isn't just about a kind word here or there, it's about showing one another that, no matter what, we'll support each other.

Shao Trommashere completed paramedic class in 2007 after working as an EMT since 2002 in the Northeast corner of the United States. She also has a blog called Looking Through A Pair of Pink Handled Trauma Shears.