...or pepper spray as I know it.
Had my first ever run in with this stuff last night at ReCre8! There was a women in the alley out back(we always leave the back door open so people can come and go out there as they please) and she was, randomly she said, sprayed with pepper spray! My guess is that it had something to do with either money or drugs - but I'm trying not to assume the worst.
Her name was Connie. One of our regulars came in asking me to call the ambulance for her because she had been sprayed. Then it all started! People began to gag and cough. Throats, lips, tongues, eyes, whole faces for that matter started to burn and the air was suddenly filled with a toxic smell. After a police officer who happened to be walking the alley called an ambulance, I made the decision to close the cafe down for the night(about 40 minutes early). At that point, there was no way we could continue to offer people coffee and snacks as they gagged and coughed while covering their sore noses!!!
We brought Connie inside and had her stay in the washroom, flushing out her eyes and face with cold water(cold is the only way to go). It took about 45 minutes for her to get to the point where she felt like moving. The paramedics(who have amazing patience) gave her the choice to either go to the hospital - which we were pushing for - or leaving the building because we had to get out before the shelters guys started coming in. Olivia(my roommate) and I offered for her to come back to our room and take a shower(the paramedics recommended a shower), but she turned us down to go back into the alley.
In the end we bundled up her stuff, helped her out into the alley, prayed for her and went home.
Was there more we could have done? Righteouss anger had set in a this point and we were so angry that there was nothing else to be done....she had options and refused to take them!! Why? We'll probably never know.
Pray for Connie - she's probably still hurting today.
Blessings.
Oh and Pepper Spray lingers!!!! It was throughout the building, even this morning(although not too bad) and was still in our throats and faces today.
2 days ago
2 comments:
OK so...It is sooooo hard not to mention to Brooklyn that you are coming home for Christmas!!!! She keeps saying that "I just wish my Aunt Denise could come home for Christmas" because " she won't even get Lemon Pie like me and Tanner" Boy oh Boy is she ever going to be surprised when she opens the door to you! Just thought I would share that with all your friends that are reading this!!!!!
heehee! I'm looking forward to showing up at your door too!! She's gonna freak! YEAH! I love it! Mom's gonna wet her pants and Brooklyn's gonna go nuts. And I am looking forward to the Lemon Pie...MMmmmm....and the dressing!!! MMMMmmmmm!!!!!!
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