Paramedics Bring Joy To Special Needs Children On Easter

For years EMSA has been taking children with special needs on Easter egg hunts, and the rain didn't stop them from giving 4-year-old Armando a special ride to the zoo.

Monday, April 25th 2011, 12:29 am

By: News 9


Jacqueline Sit, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- For years EMSA has been taking children with special needs on Easter egg hunts, and the rain didn't stop them from giving 4-year-old Armando a special ride to the zoo.

On Easter Sunday, Armando Porterfield got the ride of his life on an ambulance even though there was no emergency. But to the 4-year-old, there was plenty of urgency-- he was off to meet the Easter bunny.

And with a blue basket in hand, Armando was on the hunt.

With EMSA paramedics cheering him on, Armando was unstoppable as he snatched one Easter egg after another.

Those with him said his excitement was infectious and his laugh was contagious. His mother, Erika Porterfield, said she couldn't be happier.

"This is his first special thing where he really understands what he's doing because before we had to take him to the eggs and now he's getting them himself," Erika said.

For the paramedics, it was more than just an Easter egg hunt.

"It's awesome. That's all you can say. It's the best reaction you can think of, you know?" said Heather Yazdanipour, EMSA paramedic. "To get something so tiny like that makes such a huge change in the big difference in their life to be able to do something, things we normally take for granted on a day to day basis."

For the single mom of three young children, Erika said it was a memory she'll never forget.

"My kids are special and God always take care of my kids. Sometimes I can't, but he always does," Erika said.

This is the 10th year medics escorted children with special needs on holidays like Easter and Halloween.

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