For kids in Tarrant County who are unable to go trick-or-treating due to medical issues, it's MedStar to the rescue!
For a tenth year, MedStar paramedics will take kids with serious medical issues trick-or-treating.
"We know that there are children in the community who have never had the opportunity for that trick-or-treat experience because they have significant medical challenges," MedStar spokesman Matt Zavadsky said. "Maybe they're on a ventilator, maybe they just require very close medical supervision, they might have IVs running.
"Now when they've got this medical support, they can provide medical care," Zavqadsky said. "They can actually enjoy something that they've never been able to enjoy as a family before."
Kids are selected through nominations, and they're picked up by a fully decorated ambulance.
"The families dress up, the crew members who are taking the kids out trick or treating dress up typically in the same themes," Zavadsky said.
The paramedics then take the kids to the Pembroke-Berkley neighborhood in Fort Worth to go trick-or-treating on Oct. 29.
"The neighborhood has been phenomenal," Zavadsky said. "The homeowners association is terrific. They have designated parking for the ambulances. They put up signs for the kids."
There are no specific age requirements.
"We've taken kids as young as three, [and] we've taken kids as old as 15," Zavadsky said.
The decade-long program has been very well-received by everyone.
"We've gotten text messages and emails from families from previous years, saying this was the most wonderful experience," Zavadsky said. "These pictures, this memory, is something that we will cherish forever because in many cases those kids have since passed away."
MedStar is currently accepting nominations and will do so through Monday, Oct. 16.
To nominate a child, email Zavadsky at MZavadsky@medstar911.org.
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