My name is Devin Cummings, and my fundraiser will be used to assist me with multiple bills due to unseen and the inability to work. Throughout my life I have always tried to help others no matter the cost to me. I have had rough times before and normally could recover through hard work and determination. These last 14 months have been extremely testing and has taken everything I have just to survive. This is my story and chronological list of events that I am trying to recover from.

On November 27, 2022, I was working my normal double shift on the ambulance with a younger but skilled partner Nick. I choose nick as my partner many times over the last year trying to ease his transition from EMT-Basic to Paramedic. I was especially interested in his success, partly because I mentored and instructed him many times since he was a junior Firefighter. This was an unusual night from the beginning of the second shift and was disturbingly slow. About 6 hours into the second 8 hour shift we have our first call, an easy self-admit psych issue. I say this was an easy call because our protocol with these patients is to evaluate them for physical injury and illness then have them transported by Police. Upon arriving and assess the situation on scene, we decided to transport this patient. This patient was recently discharged from the armed forces and arrived home to find his wife with his best friend. He had moved from across the country to live here for her and had no other friends or family anywhere close. He then spirals out of control and went on a 3-day non-stop drinking binge. We as a crew decided he has served us over the past 4 years so the least we could do is make his ride to assistance more comfortable while giving him someone to talk too. The transport to the hospital went smoothly with no problems and made this patient feel like someone cares.

While transferring care to the nursing staff we heard one of our crews calling out for assistance multiple times for a female having complications with her pregnancy. When we stepped outside of the hospital, we quickly loaded our truck and called the crew to see if they still need assistance. We are far out but could rendezvous with them while enroute, so before we even got an answer, we started toward the common route they would take to the Hospital. They answered back and stated that they were in good shape at this time. We immediately shut down our emergency response and continued back to our district. Soon, after this crew began to call out for assistance again and we responded to meet them. My partner was driving emergency for approximately 2 blocks when we were struck by a SUV, sending our truck through a metal light pole and taking out an exceptionally large oak tree.

Upon the conclusion of these impacts I was nearly knocked unconscious and knew I had severely injured my back and left knee, while bleeding severely from my forehead. I then checked on my partner to find him having severe difficulties breathing with severe head injuries. I immediately knew his chances of survival were slim, but if I could sustain his breathing and get him transported rapidly to a trauma center, he may have a chance. Unfortunately, the equipment I need to assist him is in the back patient area of the truck and I am trapped in the truck. I then immediately grab the radio and attempt to make an emergency call out with no success. My portable radio that was on me was destroyed so I located the truck radio and made the call out. Now my Irish temper and determination to help Nick has kicked into overdrive. I began to punch my passenger window until it finally breaks. I then crawl out of the vehicle and force the door open to get our equipment bag. I then come around to his side and begin to try and pull his door open. At this time luckily a recue truck arrived on scene and began extrication while I attempted to secure his airway. Unfortunately, my equipment shattered inside my bag sue to the impact. I then saw another ambulance arrive on scene, when I turned to nick, as he took his last breath. I started compression until the other medics arrived then got out of the way. Soon after I was treated and transported to a trauma center as well.

While at the trauma center I learned that I sustained a severe traumatic brain injury that will take me around 7 months of rehabilitation to return slightly to normal, I fractured my spine from L1 – L5, and damaged my knee to the point that I was unable to walk steps even after months of rehabilitation. I have now recovered from the traumatic brain injury with minimal residual effects. I know am slightly slower and struggle at time for vocabular that I know and have bouts of anger and anxiety. I have had a complete knee replacement and went through a revision to try and make it stronger. My fractures to my spine healed but has left severe pain upon standing for any amount of time, bouts of numbness down my posterior upper leg and constant feeling of my hip being dislocated. This combination of back injury and knee injury has left me with a limp that I can not shake. Lastly, I am receiving consoling once a week for severe PTSD and still have lasting effects.

Throughout these events I have received compensation in the range of 60% of my wages. This has put stress on family life due to the financial stress. I have had multiple complications since and will just quickly describe them. Approximately 2 months after the crash I had both of my vehicles totaled due to an impact with deer. The first was my wife on the highway during icy conditions and the other was my friend using my truck to move furniture. I have to replace these vehicles, adding new car payments to my bill total. I have also had an immediate family member diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. This family member lives 18 hours away and needs my family for support. Lastly upon receiving my second surgery on my knee workmen’s compensation dropped me temporarily until we go to court. Upon returning to work to my light duty my work removed me from duty until I can return fully or covered by comp. I am currently using all my PTO time I have built over the past 12 years for pay. This will run out at the end of the month just to add another hurdle.At the begining and throughout I wanted the attention to be placed on my partner because I thought I can handle anything. Well, I was quite and then forgotten.

However, I will remain strong and continue to push no matter how much I am held down by these insurance companies, and disappointed by the lack of assistance from my employer. I feel forgotten every day, by those I called family.

Channel 4 Report and Interview