Meredith Learns Life-Saving Skills

Meredith is a kind-hearted 14-year-old who has battled a seizure disorder since she was six months old. In her life, she has had many experiences with EMTs helping her.

For her wish, she wanted to shadow Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue to experience the ins and outs of what it takes to be an everyday hero.

Her heroic day began when she arrived at the Palm Beach Gardens Fire Station via limo. Meredith was introduced as the newest crew member and got right to work. There was medical training and interactive skills stations including administering CPR, bleeding control, splinting and how to take vital signs.

Meredith learned how to perform the skills, why they are done and got to try firsthand how to do the life-saving tasks herself.

"Her experience put her on the other side of things she has been on the receiving end of. It completed a sort of cycle that is interesting, engaging and exciting."

Meredith's mother

After a tour of the back of an ambulance, she took a ride in the front seat. She sat in the driver’s seat of a fire truck and walked across the ladder above the truck. Meredith received a very special souvenir – a personalized firefighter helmet. Her exhilarating day ended with some down time to chat with the EMTs and paramedics while enjoying sweet treats.

Meredith has a huge heart and a deep desire to help others because EMTs have helped her so much. She truly enjoyed this sneak peek into the daily grind of what she hopes will be her future career.

Her mother said, “What a great day. Everyone has been so kind and caring and genuinely invested in Meredith’s happiness and what she’s interested in. They took the time to set up an experience that was catered to her interests and her ability level. I think that she’ll remember this day for a long time.”

Wish Granters: Fran Garfunkel & Teresa Wetzler-Finn
Referred by Ava Pence, her mother
Wish adopted by the Levitetz Foundation