u/holly1231

I live in Chicago, and I have to walk my dog a few times a day. Lately it feels like I keep finding medical emergencies while on our walkabouts! I’m afraid 911 thinks I’m calling too often—3 times in 4 weeks. Like, am I being a Gladys Kravitz? It’s hard because I’m deaf and have trouble understanding on the phone when it’s noisy.

There was a lady writhing in the street, passing out, and then got up and yelled at nothing in particular while stumbling down the street. I called and gave a description.

It was the hottest day, and some guy was passed out in a median. I asked people what happened—“I dunno, he’s breathing.” I woke him up, but he was dry and went back to sleep. I wasn’t comfortable assuming he just needed a nap because he was rather dry to the touch, so I called.

And just this morning, I saw commotion in an alley (kitty corner from a fire station) some others were trying to wake up this dude, get him comfy, and I asked, hey, is everything ok? They wanted me to call 911, so I did—dude wasn’t breathing according to the people trying to help him. Fire came, thankfully he woke up when they did a sternum rub, and ambulance did a scoop-and-run.

I feel like I’ll keep running into situations like this because of walking my dog, lol. A) am I right to call in the first two situations? B) how can I train my less-than-bright mini schnauzer to be more placid while I manage scenes?

I’m not a doctor, just a librarian who follows medical memes.

My Singer 4452 bit the dust after 12 ish years—it keeps jamming up despite getting the timing fixed. It ate a hole in a quilt I’m making.

I’ve been reading all of the machine suggestions in past posts.

The Juki only does straight stitches, and I do zig zag for clothes and appliqué. I bought a foot for free motion quilting, since I’ve always wanted to try that.

I could get another 4452, as it’s affordable, and it did last a long time.

I really like the looks of Babylock Jazz 2 even though it’s $$$. The really long arm looks heavenly for my projects. The problem is, there’s only one shop in all of Chicago that services Babylock, and it would take at least an hour and a half on public transit to get there (and more time to get back home). I’d have to take a train, a bus, and then walk with the machine.

Meanwhile, there are a ton of shops that services Singer—the closest one is 2 buses away (half an hour or so) and if needed, a cab wouldn’t be too expensive. The other place would be a hecking cab fare.

What would you recommend?

Hey all,

I’m applying to para/seca jobs at my local school district. It’s a bit of a career change as I’ve been in libraries over the years, and have been volunteering in my daughter’s school library, but it’s time for me to go back to work (I’m afraid disability will end soon).

I want to stay in the public school system and recently got my para license.

How should I write my cover letter? I have experience and understanding about disabilities, but I have not worked directly with kids with disabilities aside from my daughter, and incidentally while volunteering.

There is always a demand for paras, but I want to make sure I’m seriously considered.

Any advice?