Stiletto Surgery: Frontline Volunteering at Mardi Gras
starobserver.com.au“I think it’s the fun, the camaraderie, and what we’re doing for the community, and being part of that community spirit,” says O’Riordan.Volunteers have varying qualifications: consultants, interns, registrars, specialist and enrolled nurses, paramedics, first aiders, and occasionally, physiotherapists and social workers.They all require first aid training at a minimum, but there are other less tangible requisites.“Can you chat with someone, can you socially engage with someone?
Can you have fun on the night? Those other skills are vitally important,” says O’Riordan.“I remember using all my first aid equipment to put stilettos back on for one of the drag queens,” laughs O’Riordan.Another time, someone was coming out for the first time and was completely overwhelmed.“Nothing wrong with them medically.
They just needed a hug.”Every year, after the parade and party, Mardi Gras gathers feedback on the types of injuries treated by medical volunteers.
There is even a section on the feedback form for “Costume Malfunctions.”“This seems to take up nearly 50% of our workload!” says O’Riordan, “from blisters to ladders in tights, and other costume repairs.“Running make-up that has to be re-applied; tying bras back together with suture equipment – that is quite a regular thing for the medical person,” says O’Riordan. “It’s not like working in a hospital where you’re doing a medical procedure.
Read more on starobserver.com.au
