A Bullriders Phobia

There are three men sharing a table in the cafeteria. They introduce themselves, one is a carpenter, one is a paramedic and the other is mechanic by trade, a bull rider by season. The mechanic/bull rider must have hurt himself because he has a gauze bandage wrapped around his knuckles.

The fellow he is sitting beside asks, “What did you do?” The bull rider notices the carpenter is looking at his bandaged hand, looks down at his hand and says, “I was changing a flat tire and the tire iron slipped.”

The carpenter asks, “How long ago did that happen?” “The bandage looks like it has fresh blood on it!”

The paramedic says, “It looks pretty bad, did you need stitches?” He offers to take a look at it.

The mechanic/bull rider says, “I did it this morning and no I didn’t need stitches!” “I don’t need a doctor to look at it and thanks but I don’t need you to look at it either!” He continues by saying, “I learned a long time ago not to trust doctors or paramedics for that matter!” He looks at the paramedic and says, “No offense man, but I learned they don’t respect my wishes!!”

The carpenter and the paramedic are looking intently at the man who does not trust medical persons.

The paramedic asks, “What do you mean we don’t respect you?”

The mechanic/bull rider responds, “A few years ago, I was hurt by a bull and the medics at the rodeo said I was too badly hurt for them to be able to help me, so they wanted to call an ambulance.” “I knew it wasn’t that bad so I said, No and tried to get up, but I got dizzy so I sat back down again!” “They called the ambulance anyway!” “I told the paramedics and the rodeo medics I was fine and didn’t need help.” “I told them to just let me be for a few minutes!” “They backed off and a few minutes later, I got up and started walking away!” “I turned to say, see told ya so, but I collapsed.” “When I opened my eyes again, they were taking me out of the ambulance into the E R!” “Man, I was soooo ticked and I have not trusted medics, paramedics or doctors since…”

The paramedic said, “When we are called for an emergency, sometimes there isn’t anything we can do until the client accepts our help or passes out!” “Unless either of those things happens, there is nothing we can do!” “In the case of your rodeo experience, the medics were probably concerned about concussion, broken ribs or worse!” “They were legally obligated to call the ambulance and were trying to avoid a possible law suit or trying to make sure you didn’t keel over dead somewhere else!”

The mechanic/bull rider rolls his eyes and says, “See, that’s exactly what I mean, no respect for what I want!” “Furthermore, I have been a bull rider for several years, we have to sign a waiver taking legal responsibility of injuries off the rodeo and leaving it on the necks of those of us who end up getting hurt!” The mechanic/bull rider continued on, “I am ok with traveling with you, as a traveler, but I don’t trust you as a paramedic, so don’t ask or suggest looking at my wounded hand again, cus it aint gonna happen!!” He then got up and walked out of the cafeteria.

#medics