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AMBULANCE saved my life
Posted by BecciS on March 25, 2026, 12:32 pm
On Friday the 13th at 8 PM. I either stepped on or brushed up against a particularly venomous scorpion that stung me on the back of my heel. Within 10 minutes, I was exhibiting all the signs of a scorpion bite, swollen tongue, difficulty breathing, pain in the area of the bite which was under my heel and visibly traveling up my carotid artery. My husband Scott went immediately to the refrigerator door where the magnet with the number of the ambulance is located.. The ambulance is only important when you need it. Do yourself and your guests a kindness… post the number somewhere prominent in your house. He called, got an immediate answer and we ran for the car because the responder said come NOW. When we arrived at the ambulance base the IV with the anti-venom was already hooked up and waiting for us. The responder was our friend Alejandro who we’ve known for a decade. We knew we were in good hands but I was not improving..this wasn't working. Alejandro is amazing …well trained, calm, and comforting. He made a professional intelligent determination… we needed to go to the hospital in Cithuatlan. The second responder was Magaly, the wife of Alejandro, another familiar face. In Cithuatlan we were attended to immediately…the hospital is only a few years old and the cleanest facility I’ve seen in my time on Costa Allegra. There is no question that Alejandro and Magaly literally saved my life. I want to express my extreme gratitude to them and to Jeanne Crosby. When I moved to Boca 17 years ago there was no ambulance. It was a broken down outdated diesel fueled vehicle…until Jeanne had a dream. She dedicated herself to the cause…did the fundraising and tirelessly worked to make her vision a reality. Much of the money comes from the community… events, jars on counters and a table at the Friday market. She has made bank to bank money transfers available. She has brought La Huerta to the table where they agreed to provide insurance, and some fuel and medical equipment. After Easter the town returns to the locals. This is a time when the ambulance needs you the most. Supporting this worthy cause now means that residents of our community have the security of knowing the ambulance is here year-round 24/7. They need your help because they are here to help you. The ambulance is only important when you need it.
Thank you so much for these kind words, Becci. I hope by now people realize the value of the ambulance to our community, and also that we--the community of La Manzanilla--keep the ambulance service alive. Without donations from the community, we would have to shut down. And that's a scary thought!
Thank you Becci, for sharing your story and the need to support the La Manzanilla Ambulance and team. I am happy you were helped by the team recently and have recovered from your scorpion sting.
As Jeanne Crosby has mentioned regularly, it costs a lot for each call the ambulance makes, and La Heurta only pays for insurance and a small amount of fuel each week. Funds are always needed to pay the paramedics for their important professional work and for supplies to keep the ambulance stocked and running.
I was pleased to be able to donate 2000 pesos from the tips I received as a musician this year. Thanks to all who tipped me, so I could help 3 charities before departing late last week. I encourage all visitors to, and residents of La Manzanilla and area to support this important resource. You never know when you or a loved one will need it and the paramedics.
on March 25, 2026, 12:32 pm
