Rotary is You Family
Posted by Douglas W Vincent
on Feb 28, 2009
The Family of Rotary is another benefit of Rotary Membership. The next time you are telling a prospective member about the many personal benefits of joining Rotary, impress them with this true life story. It shares how the unfortunate accident of a Rotarian's son was helped by local Rotarians in Jamaica.
We live near Vancouver BC, several thousand miles north of Montego Bay, Jamaica. While visiting there on a cruise ship with 12 members of our family, a freak accident happened to our 46 year old son Mitch.
The accident drove home to me the importance of always wearing your Rotary pin. And another personal benefit of being a Rotarian. Here is what happened.
Our cruise ship "Voyager of the Seas" has a large ice skating rink. Our son Mitch his wife Lori-Ann and their 13 year old daughter Jessica, our grand daughter, were skating. Our son, a good skater, hooked an edge, fell backwards, striking his head on the ice knocking himself unconscious for several minutes. He was taken to the ships hospital for x rays.
The ships doctor did not like what she saw, ordered an ambulance to take him to the hospital for a CAT scan. The ship was sailing in 30 minutes for Texas, two days away. This meant that Mitch would be left ashore in Jamaica.. I stayed with him.
Then the confusion really began. My son was suffering and sweltering in the ambulance on the dock while I tried to rush through the endless paperwork ashore involved with us remaining in Jamaica.
The cruise line's port agent offered his assistance.
I pointed to the Rotary pin on my shirt collar, handed him my Rotary business card, and asked if he would locate a Rotarian so I would have a reliable contact in Jamaica. He disappeared and returned two minutes later with a big smiling Jamaican " Here" he said," he's a Rotarian" When I asked how he knew he replied " He always wears the same pin you wear"
The Rotarian was Keith Azzan, President of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East. Keith is also owner/
operator of "Pirates Market" a large gift shop on the pier. Keith spoke with the immigration people and
hurried along. He assured me my son was being taken to a very good, small private hospital. He warned
me the hospital was expensive and asked "Do you need any money??" Fortunately I had my trusty well
worn VISA card.
Keith handed me his card "This is my cell number" he said "call me anytime tonight." Within minutes I was in the passenger seat of the ambulance, siren wailing, speeding on the left side of a narrow two lane highway, no seatbelts, feeling certain this would be my last automobile ride.
At the hospital another round of paperwork began. The admitting clerk required several detailed explanations before she fully understood that Mitch had suffered an ice skating injury. She is likely still laughing as she tells her friends about an "ice skating injury on a ship where the poor mon fell and split open hishead."
Even before the paperwork was completed I was called to the reception area "There are two men here
to see you." The two men were Rotary club president Keith Azzan and club secretary Govind Chulani. They remained until they were convinced everything was under control, they left telling me to call either one should I need assistance. Keith returned later to enquire where I would sleep.
The small hospital had only three beds, two were taken. I had noticed a Holiday Inn about 2 miles
from the hospital and said I would register there. Keith informed me that the annual world famous Jamaican Jazz Festival was underway, the Holiday Inn was headquarters for the event. It was doubtful I
could get a room there, or anywhere else on the Island.
Keith explained that the Rotary Club had held their meetings at the Holi- day Inn for years until recently
when the hotel renovated and removed the meeting room. Although it was nearing 10:00 p.m he felt the manager, whom he knew quite well, would still be there, which he was. The manager explained that the hotel was "booked solid" but they did have a room for "emergency purposes" Keith convinced him this was indeed an emergency, and I was booked in.
Then Keith and I went for an authentic Jamaican dinner of Bar BQ pork ribs, Bar BQ chicken with sweet potatoes. In an outdoor restaurant off the road called "Schochies" an interesting place that tourists seldom see. Over dinner we shared Rotary stories and experiences.
My son was released from the hospital the following day. We flew that afternoon to Texas to await the arrival of the ship and our family two days later. I have kept in touch by email and telephone with both Keith and Govind.
I will always remember the immediate response and caring consideration of theses two outstanding Rotarians who came to the aid of a Rotarian in need. Rotary is indeed an incredible organization
made of up incredible people.
So, on your next trip to Jamaica visit Keith Azzan at his "Pirates Market" gift store, and Govind
Chulani at his " El Caribe" Diamond Discount Centre. Tell them you heard of their generous
deed to a Rotarian in need.
And always remember to wear your Rotary pin!
Don't leave home without it!
By PDG Dick Drew
District 5320
The accident drove home to me the importance of always wearing your Rotary pin. And another personal benefit of being a Rotarian. Here is what happened.
Our cruise ship "Voyager of the Seas" has a large ice skating rink. Our son Mitch his wife Lori-Ann and their 13 year old daughter Jessica, our grand daughter, were skating. Our son, a good skater, hooked an edge, fell backwards, striking his head on the ice knocking himself unconscious for several minutes. He was taken to the ships hospital for x rays.
The ships doctor did not like what she saw, ordered an ambulance to take him to the hospital for a CAT scan. The ship was sailing in 30 minutes for Texas, two days away. This meant that Mitch would be left ashore in Jamaica.. I stayed with him.
Then the confusion really began. My son was suffering and sweltering in the ambulance on the dock while I tried to rush through the endless paperwork ashore involved with us remaining in Jamaica.
The cruise line's port agent offered his assistance.
I pointed to the Rotary pin on my shirt collar, handed him my Rotary business card, and asked if he would locate a Rotarian so I would have a reliable contact in Jamaica. He disappeared and returned two minutes later with a big smiling Jamaican " Here" he said," he's a Rotarian" When I asked how he knew he replied " He always wears the same pin you wear"
The Rotarian was Keith Azzan, President of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East. Keith is also owner/
operator of "Pirates Market" a large gift shop on the pier. Keith spoke with the immigration people and
hurried along. He assured me my son was being taken to a very good, small private hospital. He warned
me the hospital was expensive and asked "Do you need any money??" Fortunately I had my trusty well
worn VISA card.
Keith handed me his card "This is my cell number" he said "call me anytime tonight." Within minutes I was in the passenger seat of the ambulance, siren wailing, speeding on the left side of a narrow two lane highway, no seatbelts, feeling certain this would be my last automobile ride.
At the hospital another round of paperwork began. The admitting clerk required several detailed explanations before she fully understood that Mitch had suffered an ice skating injury. She is likely still laughing as she tells her friends about an "ice skating injury on a ship where the poor mon fell and split open hishead."
Even before the paperwork was completed I was called to the reception area "There are two men here
to see you." The two men were Rotary club president Keith Azzan and club secretary Govind Chulani. They remained until they were convinced everything was under control, they left telling me to call either one should I need assistance. Keith returned later to enquire where I would sleep.
The small hospital had only three beds, two were taken. I had noticed a Holiday Inn about 2 miles
from the hospital and said I would register there. Keith informed me that the annual world famous Jamaican Jazz Festival was underway, the Holiday Inn was headquarters for the event. It was doubtful I
could get a room there, or anywhere else on the Island.
Keith explained that the Rotary Club had held their meetings at the Holi- day Inn for years until recently
when the hotel renovated and removed the meeting room. Although it was nearing 10:00 p.m he felt the manager, whom he knew quite well, would still be there, which he was. The manager explained that the hotel was "booked solid" but they did have a room for "emergency purposes" Keith convinced him this was indeed an emergency, and I was booked in.
Then Keith and I went for an authentic Jamaican dinner of Bar BQ pork ribs, Bar BQ chicken with sweet potatoes. In an outdoor restaurant off the road called "Schochies" an interesting place that tourists seldom see. Over dinner we shared Rotary stories and experiences.
My son was released from the hospital the following day. We flew that afternoon to Texas to await the arrival of the ship and our family two days later. I have kept in touch by email and telephone with both Keith and Govind.
I will always remember the immediate response and caring consideration of theses two outstanding Rotarians who came to the aid of a Rotarian in need. Rotary is indeed an incredible organization
made of up incredible people.
So, on your next trip to Jamaica visit Keith Azzan at his "Pirates Market" gift store, and Govind
Chulani at his " El Caribe" Diamond Discount Centre. Tell them you heard of their generous
deed to a Rotarian in need.
And always remember to wear your Rotary pin!
Don't leave home without it!
By PDG Dick Drew
District 5320