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Paramedic Back At Work After Stroke

 

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 September 3, 2002

    

 

 

 Over the past year, the "NY1 For You" segment has brought you near 200 stories of individuals and small businesses affected by the tragedy of September 11.

In most cases, NY1 was able to help viewers who fell through the cracks. And where we couldn't find assistance, we brought you those stories anyway, to raise awareness to their plight.

In her latest segment, NY1's Susan Jhun follows up on a paramedic who was part of the rescue effort and who suffered a stroke several weeks after September 11.


Marvin Bethea belongs to a group of heroes from September 11 that you rarely hear about ö the emergency medical service workers who risked their lives alongside police officers and firefighters.

In November, NY1 introduced Bethea, a paramedic at St. John's Hospital, who was part of the rescue effort at the World Trade Center. Weeks after the disaster Bethea suffered a stroke while on the job. Using his sick time and worried his benefits would run out, Bethea contacted "NY1 For You.”

 

We contacted Bethea's union 1199 regarding his situation and they agreed to extended his benefits and replace his lost wages.

“We can replace a portion of his wages,” said Eleanor Tilson, executive director of Local 1199. “We will go back to the first day that this happened to him. This will help him dramatically.”

 

Months later, Bethea was back at work, fully recovered from his stroke. As part of National EMS week, Bethea was honored at

  
 
 
 

 St John's Hospital along with five other members of the St. John's Ambulance Department ö all part of the initial response on September 11.

“They're not cowards, they don't avoid it, they cherish that call, that opportunity to save lives,” said Robert Peebles, the president of St. Vincent's Medical Center. “You truly make a difference at St. John's Hospital, you truly make a difference in our region and I can only say thank you.”

Bethea said the honor bestowed upon him and his colleagues was a tribute to all EMS workers.

“We were right next to the policemen and firemen when all this was going on,” Bethea said. “Again, we are constantly the forgotten people. People don't appreciate the EMTs or the paramedics until they have a medical emergency.”

In Bethea's acceptance speech, he thanked all of those who assisted him during the past several months and even presented a plaque of recognition to "NY1 For You".

--Susan Jhun


If you have a problem related to the World Trade Center disaster - or another matter you'd like us to investigate - call the NY1 For You Hotline, 24 hours a day, at (212) 379-3599 or email us at ny1foryou@ny1.com.

For a list of resources available to those needing help in the aftermath of the attacks, see our 9-11 Assistance Section.


 
     
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