THE Daily Record’s first ever Little Hero has joined the Fire Service so he can help save the lives of others just like the hero doctors who saved his.
Samuel Bell, 26, was born with serious bowel condition Hirschprung disease and was given only months to live and medics said if he did survive he would face a lifetime of challenges.
But thanks to his doctors and his own true grit the young warrior, who is fed through a tube into his heart and carries his IV medication with him 24/7 in a lifesaving backpack, has spent a lifetime defying the odds.
Determined to give something back, Samuel, whose 14-month-old son Mateo has inherited the same condition and has undergone lifesaving surgery in the last few months, now proudly serves as a Firefighter Control.
The dad-of-one, who is married to Liana, 26, said: “I have spent my whole life overcoming challenges and fighting my own personal fires so this is just the perfect job for me.
“There are so many medical heroes who have helped keep me alive over the years and been the light in my darkness and now it is my turn to do the same for them.
“Being a Firefighter Control is not just answering the phone, it’s about helping people and keeping them calm until the firefighters get to them. It is fast paced and can be high-pressured and emotionally intense.”
Samuel, who also runs a charity which supports children with rare diseases and their families, added: “Every day is different, and every decision counts. You never know what the next call will bring, but you know it’s urgent. Just a few weeks into the job and I had to stay on the phone with a family who had become trapped in a third storey flat. There was a fire in the close and I told them how to make themselves safe and stay low until help arrived.
“It’s a privilege to be able to be there for people when they need you the most. I know what it’s like to feel vulnerable but there has always been someone there for me over the years be it the doctors, my family or my friends.
“Through my charity Samuel’s Smiles I have been a comfort blanket for the families of kids with rare conditions and through my new job I get to offer comfort to so many more people.”
Samuel, who was told he might never become a dad, was delighted when his ‘miracle’ son was born last July. Even though Mateo’s condition is not as severe as his father’s, a routine bowel op a few months ago landed the tot in ICU.
Samuel, from Knightswood, Glasgow, said: “Mateo has no colon and after he was born he needed a stoma bag fitted. After a routine op a few months ago became a 12 hour surgery he ended up in ICU very poorly. Thankfully he is fine now.
“The Fire Service were amazing even though I had only just started. They gave me all the time off I needed which made me even more determined to do this job to the best of my ability and help others.”
Now, almost a year into his new career, Samuel is encouraging people to consider following in his footsteps as SFRS currently recruits the next generation of Firefighter Control staff.
Samuel, who won a Daily Record Little Hero Award back in 2004, said: “We need more people who care about helping others. The job is not easy, but the rewards are beyond anything you can imagine.”
Area Commander Control Jacqui MacDonald said: “I’m proud of Sam’s resilience, especially when facing personal challenges. Instead of letting it define him, he continues to thrive in his career.
“Sam’s story serves as a reminder that challenges can be overcome. We are seeking new recruits who share the same spirit of perseverance and help to improve people’s lives.”
*Applications for the role of Firefighter Control close on Tuesday, October 1. More information can be found on the SFRS website.
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