EMSSTAT Act of Kindness Brings Joy and Relief to Young Patient and Family

What seemed like a routine medical transport call was turned into a memorable moment that six-year-old Jaxon Messick and his mother, Natalie McGee, will never forget.

Jaxon, who was recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, started experiencing chest pain and an irregular heartbeat. His mother rushed him to Norman Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department. From there, it was determined that he needed to be transported to Oklahoma Children’s Hospital for further treatment.

When Norman Regional EMSSTAT Paramedics, Stephen Yarbrough and Hunter Everett, entered Jaxon’s room, Jaxon asked them his most pressing question at that moment--if during his transport they could stop at McDonald’s.

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Turning a Scary Moment into a Wonderful Memory

McGee explained to Jaxon that it was unlikely the EMSSTAT crew would be able to fulfill his wish, but to her surprise, Yarbrough and Everett chose to advocate for her son.

“I went and talked to the attending emergency physicians and they both looked at each other and said, ‘Without a doubt. You take that kid to go get him a cheeseburger Happy Meal,’” said Yarbrough.

“He was up and on the stretcher ready to go,” said McGee.

Yarbrough and Everett loaded Jaxon into their ambulance and brought him inside McDonald’s on a stretcher.

“This act of compassion transformed an incredibly traumatic moment into one of comfort and reassurance. Their kindness calmed my child, eased his fear, and gave him a sense of normalcy and control during a time when he had very little. It also gave me, as his mother, a moment of relief and gratitude that I will carry forever,” said McGee.

Reuniting: A Chance to Say Thank You

McGee was so touched by Yarbrough and Everett’s act of kindness that she reached out to Norman Regional and EMSSTAT who helped setup a time for all four to reunite. Jaxon and McGee gave both paramedics gift bags with artwork, a thank you letter, stickers and a photo of Jaxon on the stretcher in front of McDonalds. In return, Yarbrough and Everett gave Jaxon a gift bag that included a letter, a foam ambulance and most importantly, a gift card to McDonald’s.

“It means a lot that we were able to see them again and say thank you and let them know that it really meant a lot to us,” said McGee. “For them to say yes, he’s going through so much, to put a little bit of brightness into his night-he didn’t want to be there, he wanted to be home. Just that small act of kindness that they did for us really meant the world.”

Yarbrough and Everett’s advocacy for Jaxon proves how small gestures can make some of the biggest and most last impacts on a patient’s healthcare journey.