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Downgrade: A Paramedic Short Story Based on True Events
Paramedics aren't born cynical. The job either hardens or devours them.
Have you ever wondered what paramedics experience? Dealing with 'the job' isn't glamorous. At its worst, it's gruesome. This very short story is not for the faint of heart or minors, but is for those fascinated with getting a behind the scenes look at EMS. It gets inside the mind of a rookie paramedic dealing with the realistic horror of humanity. It's an intense sensory ride, but not a normal story. Dozens of real medics, other than me, have agreed that it's an accurate portrayal--emotionally, visually, mentally, and sensory.
You know you want to look. Everyone does, they just don't want to admit it. How else do you think this has been in the top 10-15 fee kindle medical since Oct 1, 2013?
So why are you waiting?
Approx 5-10 pages depending on font/reader 2000+ intense words in the mind of a paramedic. 1st person.
NOT FOR UNDERAGE READERS! WARNING: graphic details of death, adult language, minor description of nudity.
Have you ever wondered what paramedics experience? Dealing with 'the job' isn't glamorous. At its worst, it's gruesome. This very short story is not for the faint of heart or minors, but is for those fascinated with getting a behind the scenes look at EMS. It gets inside the mind of a rookie paramedic dealing with the realistic horror of humanity. It's an intense sensory ride, but not a normal story. Dozens of real medics, other than me, have agreed that it's an accurate portrayal--emotionally, visually, mentally, and sensory.
You know you want to look. Everyone does, they just don't want to admit it. How else do you think this has been in the top 10-15 fee kindle medical since Oct 1, 2013?
So why are you waiting?
Approx 5-10 pages depending on font/reader 2000+ intense words in the mind of a paramedic. 1st person.
NOT FOR UNDERAGE READERS! WARNING: graphic details of death, adult language, minor description of nudity.
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
18 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2011
41 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Patricks
26 books182 followersAmazon Page with book links
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Welcome, dear reader, to my author page! I hope you enjoy reading mash ups and a touch of speculative fiction as much as I do. I'm not afraid of pushing boundaries. As such, sometimes my stories don't always fit in neat little industry boxes. I can promise fun, thrilling, interesting characters and HEA in my romances. I like to torture my characters and make them earn their HEA though, so be ready for some angst, pain, tears and cliff-hangers. If that's your style, please read on.
I've loved writing almost as long as I've loved reading. Stories in my mind burn to be told. I enjoy writing different genres and mixing genres, but my favorites are science fiction and fantasy with romance because who doesn't want romance in their life? I also write paramedic fiction based on my life experiences, and I'm a military veteran so I enjoy adding strong female and male characters to my stories.
YOU DON'T READ A JACQUELINE PATRICKS STORY, YOU EXPERIENCE IT!
TikTok
Bookbub Profile
Welcome, dear reader, to my author page! I hope you enjoy reading mash ups and a touch of speculative fiction as much as I do. I'm not afraid of pushing boundaries. As such, sometimes my stories don't always fit in neat little industry boxes. I can promise fun, thrilling, interesting characters and HEA in my romances. I like to torture my characters and make them earn their HEA though, so be ready for some angst, pain, tears and cliff-hangers. If that's your style, please read on.
I've loved writing almost as long as I've loved reading. Stories in my mind burn to be told. I enjoy writing different genres and mixing genres, but my favorites are science fiction and fantasy with romance because who doesn't want romance in their life? I also write paramedic fiction based on my life experiences, and I'm a military veteran so I enjoy adding strong female and male characters to my stories.
YOU DON'T READ A JACQUELINE PATRICKS STORY, YOU EXPERIENCE IT!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 26, 2014
When I read, "You don't read a Jacqueline Patricks story, you experience it!" I thought, "Yea right, OK." I was skeptically three paragraphs into this story when I'll be damned if I wasn't experiencing it! As I got further into the story, my mind was experiencing two things; the accuracy and realism of the story being told to me, and the recollection of a number of very similar calls that I had been on during my twenty-years working in emergency medicine.
Not only was I sucked into the story by the exceptional writing, but also because...that's exactly the way it is. I was breathing through my mouth and waiting to look right behind Jacqueline Patricks fictionalized medic. If anyone wants to, as the author put it, "experience what a paramedic feels," step no further-Downgrade is as real as it gets. The language used in this story...sorry grandma...but it's the language of EMS exactly as I remember it.
Having never heard of Jacqueline Patricks prior to this, I found her here, to be as professional and well trained with the written word, as she is as a paramedic. I will recommend Downgrade all day long. Nice job Patricks!
Not only was I sucked into the story by the exceptional writing, but also because...that's exactly the way it is. I was breathing through my mouth and waiting to look right behind Jacqueline Patricks fictionalized medic. If anyone wants to, as the author put it, "experience what a paramedic feels," step no further-Downgrade is as real as it gets. The language used in this story...sorry grandma...but it's the language of EMS exactly as I remember it.
Having never heard of Jacqueline Patricks prior to this, I found her here, to be as professional and well trained with the written word, as she is as a paramedic. I will recommend Downgrade all day long. Nice job Patricks!
December 30, 2012
An excellent trip in the passenger seat of the ambulance. A repulsive and intriguing read in the best possible way; highly recommended.
May 14, 2013
A clean, crisp little vignette. Like a slightly tart apple with lingering finish.
April 21, 2017
I came across this little diddy by happenstance. It is a very short read of a single call made by a paramedic and her partner. If you are looking for a new author, a quick read, or are interested in some of what this profession sees on a bad day, this is offered to you at no charge. Other reviewers describe it better than I but, as a paramedic, it is realistic. Within the first paragraph, I recognized I, too, had been on that call. Ate it up so much, that I quickly downloaded Dog Days of Dying...
November 16, 2013
The author does an excellent job describing a brutal death scene. Her metaphors of the smells accurately portray what's actually going on. Those of us in healthcare know what renal failure, gangrene, sepsis smells like, but if you haven't been around death, you don't know. It is obvious the author has some personal experience with this.
November 16, 2013
This short story is hilarious. It gives very descriptive smells. I didn't realize what a paramedic had to go through. I couldn't handle their duties. I'm looking forward to the new Paramedic story Dog of Dying days. I want to know more about the inside drama of paramedics.
October 31, 2012
Great descriptions. Very clear and easy to picture. Definitely grim subject. Perfect for those with a taste for the darker side of life.
September 4, 2018
Read before dinner
Being a nurse I totally understood the feeling but as a nurse we didn’t see this side of medicine. I was present after a family member had passed and wasn’t found for 24 hours. The description of the smells is very accurate. I enjoyed this shirt story and ready to read the next one.
Being a nurse I totally understood the feeling but as a nurse we didn’t see this side of medicine. I was present after a family member had passed and wasn’t found for 24 hours. The description of the smells is very accurate. I enjoyed this shirt story and ready to read the next one.
March 13, 2017
Interesting story...
Interesting story. Even more interesting questions at the end. Really made me think about what I'd "read" that Ms. Patrick's hadn't actually written.
Interesting story. Even more interesting questions at the end. Really made me think about what I'd "read" that Ms. Patrick's hadn't actually written.
August 14, 2017
Ok
This book was ok. It was well written but was not for me. I will try another book before I make my mind up about author.
This book was ok. It was well written but was not for me. I will try another book before I make my mind up about author.
June 20, 2018
What the f!#@?
I don't understand what the point of this story was! One chapter and a bunch of questions... Had great potential, but this is a waste of my time.
I don't understand what the point of this story was! One chapter and a bunch of questions... Had great potential, but this is a waste of my time.
Read
June 3, 2024An interesting insight into the jobs of those we call to protect and serve. Their jobs aren't easy with the things they see and deal with in a daily basis.
December 18, 2025
I loved it!
This was really interesting for a short story! And very well written! I will be reading more by this author for sure!
This was really interesting for a short story! And very well written! I will be reading more by this author for sure!
March 9, 2014
Disclaimer: I was gifted this short story for honest review.
First of all, I was rather disappointed that this was so short with no resolution. With all the CSI type shows out there this would only be the opening scene. Castle would have asked a lot more questions. But I suppose that the paramedic doesn't get involved in the suicide/murder question. Their job is pronounce the victim or save the victim. So... in that aspect it was a realistic depiction.
Second, I don't read bloody, smelly stories. Not if I can help it. To the author's credit, she did an excellent job describing all the sensations one might feel, smell, taste, see, or hear in this kind of scene making it immediately accessible to the reader. That is what we are taught to do as writers. But in this case... TMI? I suppose if you are into these kinds of stories this would be perfect. For me... I think I will go get a breath of fresh air and dive into another sci-fi or fantasy.
First of all, I was rather disappointed that this was so short with no resolution. With all the CSI type shows out there this would only be the opening scene. Castle would have asked a lot more questions. But I suppose that the paramedic doesn't get involved in the suicide/murder question. Their job is pronounce the victim or save the victim. So... in that aspect it was a realistic depiction.
Second, I don't read bloody, smelly stories. Not if I can help it. To the author's credit, she did an excellent job describing all the sensations one might feel, smell, taste, see, or hear in this kind of scene making it immediately accessible to the reader. That is what we are taught to do as writers. But in this case... TMI? I suppose if you are into these kinds of stories this would be perfect. For me... I think I will go get a breath of fresh air and dive into another sci-fi or fantasy.
May 19, 2025
A book that really shows the things that those in the ambulance service can meet. Very much worth a read to see the other side.
While dark and twisted having had a similar job recently it really brings into focus how important it is for people to understand! Sometimes asking for someone's worst job and not their best job can force them to relive a hugely traumatic event. Dark humour is one of the biggest coping mechanisms for 999 personnel but the ambulance service lean in hard as we see people on the worst days of their lives and things now that even the police refuse to attend!
While dark and twisted having had a similar job recently it really brings into focus how important it is for people to understand! Sometimes asking for someone's worst job and not their best job can force them to relive a hugely traumatic event. Dark humour is one of the biggest coping mechanisms for 999 personnel but the ambulance service lean in hard as we see people on the worst days of their lives and things now that even the police refuse to attend!
November 14, 2014
EMS
The author Jacqueline Patricks did a great job describing the scene. I was actually holding my nose as if I could smell the decomposition. She did a great job explaining some of the bureaucratic steps that need to be taken. The relationship between EMS and Police could be better. They just have to razz each other. This story definitely made you "feel the scene". It was a good read.
The author Jacqueline Patricks did a great job describing the scene. I was actually holding my nose as if I could smell the decomposition. She did a great job explaining some of the bureaucratic steps that need to be taken. The relationship between EMS and Police could be better. They just have to razz each other. This story definitely made you "feel the scene". It was a good read.
December 30, 2015
I suppose it was good writing, but it just didn't do anything for me. I read a lot of gory stuff & this did not meet the expectations that were set by the reviews. My only thought was if the main character was male or female? I'm guessing female....
October 19, 2015
Poor and short
No one
Cause it not worth reading no plot and no action
Humor in bad taste and we would not back talk a cop
No one
Cause it not worth reading no plot and no action
Humor in bad taste and we would not back talk a cop
November 29, 2015
Solid job
As a medic to be, this was chilling. I saw and felt everything as If I was there seeing the scene and the emotions. Keep up the good work!
As a medic to be, this was chilling. I saw and felt everything as If I was there seeing the scene and the emotions. Keep up the good work!
August 14, 2014
Thought provoking .
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews