It's a Team's Life
Who are you going to call?
While sitting in a truck stop we hear a driver scream, followed by cuss words that we ignore. Next we heard screaming and "HELP HELP HELP" and I look out the window and see our neighbor lying on the ground behind his truck.
Bob and I both get out of the truck and go to check on the driver with Bob immediately dialing 911 as the driver is laying on the ground saying he has broken his kneecap. It appears that the plywood he was moving fell and hit his knee cap and ruptured it. No blood but wow what a bruise and swelling.
Bob is arguing with 911 as they do not know where the truck stop is located and they want a physical address and Bob is explaining to them that it is the only truck stop in the city. Finally an ambulance and fire truck are dispatched.
The kicker to all of this is that Sanford, the driver has called his company while lying on the ground to tell them what is happening and they do not believe him. Bob talks to the company and tells them what he sees and that yes an ambulance is on the way. The fire truck and ambulance arrive and whisk the driver off to the hospital and a few hours later a taxi drops Sanford off on crutches and with a huge brace encasing his ruptured kneecap. The hospital sent him back to the truck in a taxi, no pain medication, no way to get into the truck, and in agony.
Bob saw Sanford arrive and went over to basically lift him up into his truck, go get him some food, give him an empty bottle for necessities and our phone number. After Sanford is settled his boss lets him know that he is to bring the truck back to Atlanta and he will no longer be employed. His boss was not concerned that the truck has a manual transmission and that Sanford cannot bend his left leg.
While at the hospital the doctor has informed Sanford he will not be able to use that leg again for about 7 weeks and will probably need physical therapy. Sanford has no insurance, no family and a lot of bills. Once he has calmed down he realizes that workers comp should help him out with the hospital bill and hopefully downtime.
We are able to give him information about Trucker Charity which helps drivers out in this situation by helping them to get home, helping them to get medicine, and even providing life coaches if needed. Next I gave him a brochure for Saint Christopher’s fund that can help him with bills once he gets home. We were able to give him a gold mine of information and now he needs to go prospecting.
Trucker Charity helps a lot of drivers who were at there wit's end and no place to turn for help. Through my limited involvement with the organization I have always been impressed with their professionalism and their ability to get the job done. The group works fast and they can get immediate assistance to a hungry driver, a driver who has been abandoned at a truck stop, and get them home or to a safe area. I have only listed a few of the action items they are involved with.
In my mind Saint Christopher's fund is a great follow up to Trucker Charity as they are able to help the driver possibly keep his truck, his home, or to keep the lights on. Both organizations are there to lend a driver a helping hand and a shoulder to lean on while they repair their lives.
Both groups run on donations and both are there to help
drivers who have just experienced a disaster in their life. Check out their web
sites and see if there is a way you might be able to assist them.
Also remember both the charities names if
you become involved in a situation like we just witnessed or you see a driver
in need.
The last we saw of Sanford he was being taken to a bus station with his worldly possessions his laptop and a cell phone. We wish him the best of luck as in a single second his life was turned upside down.
Bob & Linda Caffee
TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO
Expediters 8 years been out here on the road 13 years
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle; 

Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;

Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;

Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.