Sandy Miller, RN, has lived an adventurous life to say the least. Sandy is a retired nurse who truly can say that she has seen it all. She began her career as a head trauma nurse and signed up to be a part of the disaster service, taking her from state to state helping those who were injured natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes and earthquakes as well as terrorist attacks.
In 2001, Sandy was at the 9/11 site the day after it happened. Sandy describes the sights, sounds and smells, noting that none of them will ever escape her memory. In a time of terror, Sandy recounts, everyone became completely respectful. Even the meanest people became very nice and willing to lend a hand. It has been empowering for Sandy to see New York come together to protect its workers, building memorials in the middle of the street to remember those who were lost made her feel like part of an outside family.
During Sandy’s career, she made it a point to go home every three weeks to visit her family. However while she was at home she took no time to rest. Sandy would volunteer wherever she could, teaching first aid to the Girl Scouts, chaperoning field trips and working third shift so her children never had to see her leave.
Sandy worked in the disaster relief service for 19 years until getting hurt during the Hurricane Ida relief effort in Alabama. After falling in some water, Sandy broke her leg in two places and was sent home riding first class in a plane. This unfortunately ended Sandy’s career, causing permanent damage and forcing her to retire.
To date, Sandy helped in 36 disasters beginning in 1991. At the time, she would only go home to tend to family emergencies, usually spending two to three weeks away. During this time, Sandy’s diet consisted mostly of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE).
Sandy prides herself on the family that she has raised. Her husband and two children became a true inspiration in her life during her career and she thanks God that He has not only allowed her to do all that she has done, but also protected her while she was in foreign places.
Even though Sandy was forced to retire due to her injury, her adventurous spirit lives on. She stills seeks inspiration from her next big adventure and is even considering embarking on a trip to Israel. Sandy is also adamant about finally taking her big trip to Hawaii. Each time she schedule herself to go on disaster relief to the island a family emergence prevented her from doing so.
One day it is Sandy’s hope that the world will become a more patient place. Everyone always seems to be in such a hurry to get things done. Sandy wants people to realize that a little patience and kindness truly goes a long way. Overcoming the negative attitudes of some of the people that Sandy has met has been a constant obstacle that Sandy had to tackle throughout her career.