08/25/2026
Further regarding the recent medical emergency, we wanted to share a positive note from our friends at Gilbert Fire and Rescue, written by Pathways Director Ashley Watzke and shared with her team:
"After the incident, the Fire Captain pulled me aside and shared something that I felt was important to pass along. He told me that he has rarely seen a team operate the way ours does. What stood out to me was that he wasn't just talking about the emergency response itself. He specifically pointed out the smaller moments, like staff assisting the learner safely back to their feet, helping es**rt them to the vehicle, supporting and reassuring Mom throughout the process, and most importantly, maintaining the learner's dignity every step of the way.
He shared that his crew was able to step back because our team was already doing so many of the things they would have done. Another firefighter even joked that they wish they could bring our team around to train some of the other staff they encounter. The Captain told me that when they come to L.I.F.E., they trust that our staff know our learners better than anyone else and that we will respond with professionalism, compassion, and skill.
I share this because so much of what you do has become second nature. The little things you do every day matter, and those are often the very things others notice most. Yesterday was a reminder that the care, dignity, reassurance, and support you provide are truly exceptional."
