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A Slippery Slope - A Middle-Aged Guy's Bumpy Run from Early Retirement to Ski Bum To Ski Patroller to Physician Assistant |  | Author: Gerry Dougherty
Publisher: Back Channel Press
Buy New: $14.95
as of 11/24/2009 09:11 CST details
New (2) Used (2) from $14.95
Seller: toyruckus
Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 971039
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st`
Pages: 210
ISBN: 0978954602
EAN: 9780978954604
ASIN: 0978954602
Publication Date: 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
"Three months ago, I found myself hurtling down a trail on New Hampshire's Gunstock Mountain, toboggan in tow, bellowing for skiers to clear the way a rookie ski patroller on my way to respond to God only knew what. I couldn't think about the frightening wailing I'd heard in the background when Karen radioed for help. I could only ski for all I was worth and hope I was equal to whatever I would find in the woods off the trail below me."
"The same day a year earlier, I was settling comfortably into my new life as a 46-year-old, recently retired businessman turned ski bum. But the bum's life turned lonely and the offhand suggestion of a guy behind a deli counter last summer sent my life ricocheting off in a new direction."
And that was just the beginning of this 5-year journey. We all know what happens when you point a pair of skis downhill gravity takes over. Youre simply along for the ride, using whatever skills you have to hopefully control the outcome.
When Gerry Dougherty signed up for ski patrol school in 2001, gravity took over big time. Candidly admitting he decided to become a patroller in good part for the free skiing, hed never given a moments thought to the realities of practicing emergency medicine on an incline.
Gerrys first clue: patroller class met in the first aid room at the base of the mountain. Gulp! What Gerry learned by the end of that rookie season: that he had a passion for emergency medicine.
Come along for the ride as a guy with a love for skiing and too much time on his hands becomes a certified patroller, gets into and back out of nursing school, en route to becoming, in 2006, a newly-minted 52-year-old physician assistant. Part diary, part memoir, this is one run that will occasionally tug on your emotions, but will keep you laughing most of the way.
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| Customer Reviews:
 From Toy Salesman to Ski Patrol to Physician's Assistant - Changing careers in mid-life August 22, 2007
C. Laurent (New Hampshire)
I love to ski and always wondered about those guys with the white cross on their jackets. I really enjoyed how this middle-aged guy goes from a toy sales man to ski bum to ski patrol and then finds he really likes medicine. I am middle aged and really have to hand it to this guy to go back to school to get into nursing only to end up in Physician Assistant school. I found the book funny and a good, fast, entertaining read. If you know anyone who is wondering if they can change careers over 40 this is a great book to read. Also I think anyone in the skiing, EMS or medical area would enjoy it.
 long introduction March 28, 2007
cxlxmx
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I purchased this book because my situation is similar to the author's, and I was looking for the reflections of someone who had gone the same path I am contemplating.
Since there isn't too much autobiographical material out there about PA's, I think this book fills a need. However, the material of relevance is only the second half of the book, which is written in a standard narrative style and contains more reflection. The first half, about the author's experience on ski-patrol, was not of interest, and written in the style of journal entries. If you are already on ski-patrol or an EMT, you will not find much that's new to you. If you are contemplating joining ski-patrol or Emergency Medical Services, you will have to wade through a heavy dose of the author's friends and co-workers (although this is a big part of emergency medicine, so maybe that's good).
The writing style is very casual, and the book is a fast read. Sometimes I found statements like "Give these guys an honorary PhD in snowology" to be hokey, but they project a definite and likable personality.
Overall: not great autobiographical literature a la Robert Graves, but anyone who is having reservations about nursing school or who doesn't know much about the day-to-day regimen of a PA student would be well-served.
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