Panic

So, this was kind of funny and I just had to post it. I know it's more of something you'd find on reddit and not really a story. But I'm gonna post it anyway. (since I don't have reddit. I didn't even really know what it was until a few days ago. Still don't really)

So here's some background. I work in a small building attached to the back of a public library called the Sun Prairie Media Center. This building hosts a club called kids-4 where young children have the chance to be on telivision once a week through out the school year. I've been apart of this program from fourth grade until I aged out in 8th grade. Somehow through these years I decided that I wanted to work in visual communications. I had so much fun at the studio, trying new things and talking to people with similar intrests as me. I was not a fan being in front of the camera, but I really enjoyed working the cameras. So a few years after I aged out, I got an internship at the City of Madison Media Department. The pay was great but since it was a really long drive from home, the hours weren't that great. 

After that internship, I started a second internship...at the Sun Prairie Media Center. I started working under my old director and producer which was great in itself. Also it is a 2 minute walk from my home, the pay was good, I got to work 20 hours a week, and since Sun Prairie is a small city; most of my friends worked there too. Anyway, my job is usually to film and edit videos. I don't really work with the kids much because I am not a crew leader. But when a kid walks up to me with a problem, I try to help them to the best of my ability. Usually it's a problem with the equipment or they are confused. Sometimes, though, they come to me with some pretty personal stuff. Like school bullies or something. I think since I am only 16 and am one of the youngest workers there, they feel kind of comfortable around me. I once even talked a kid out of a panic attack once. 

Anyway, it was late one night, and I was just doing my thing. I was in the middle of adding music to part of a documentary I was working on when a young boy, around 12 I think, ran up to me. This isn't unusual because I work in the computer lab with easy access to the children. But he was in tears. Not like tears of 'oh I fell down.' This kid looked terrified. I calmed him down, gave him some water and asked him to tell me what happened. He told me he pushed the button near the door. My heart just dropped. He just pushed the panic button and now we have to wait for some cops to show up. I told him not to worry, that we are just going to have a little chat with some officers and that they are really nice. They just want to make sure things are ok. So I took him by the hand, told the crew leader on shift what had happened, and we waited outside the doors for the cops to show. 

When they did show up a few minutes later, I explained what had happened, I had the kid apologize, and the cop on duty asked to look around just to be sure. I let him, and the crew leader kept the children in the prop room ao that they weren't in the way. (I mean, come on, they are 8-12 year olds, of course they'd want to meet a real live cop) Everything was ok in the end, the boy was his happy go lucky self by the time it was his turn to perform a skit, and I went back to editing. I feel for the kid, though. Once I got "stuck" in an elevator when I was probably 6. I was by myself and didn't yet know about the btton that opens the elevator. What I did know, however, was the call for help button. So I pushed that and a few firemen came to get me out. My parents were so embarrassed. They got a lecture about letting a 6 year old ride an elevator by herself. 

Anyway, like I said, not much of a story. But definately an interesting day at work.

Author's Note

I really love these kids and I would do anything for them. Even though I am only a temporary intern, I hope to some day work there full time and watch these kids grow the way I have through this program. It teaches children about responsibility and gives them confidence. I have seen some really shy children come out of there shell and become outspoken leaders and rolemodels. Thanks for reading :)

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

And cheers for the cops who responded so quickly.

[Shep]

A very fun and inspiring day at work story and fun to read thanks for sharing it.

[Cherrie Palmer]

That was an interesting day for sure. A fun read.