'Signal 8' by Erik Schanssema is Now Available

The narrative in "Signal 8: An Australian Paramedic's Story" (published by Balboa Press AU) offers Erik Schanssema's true account of his paramedic experiences. Schanssema describes the tragedies he saw, as well as his struggles with grief and post-traumatic stress disorder and his attempts to overcome them.

Schanssema, initially unsure of the career path he wanted to take, found fulfillment in a career with the ambulance service. "Signal 8" relates some of his paramedic experiences. He provides explicit descriptions of some cases he and his colleagues encountered. The descriptions show "the real and often raw nature of paramedic work" - and the emotional impact this work has on people in profession.

Schanssema shares his story in an effort to help former, current and future paramedics and emergency workers feel a sense hope in their chosen work. "There is a growing awareness of mental health issues, high suicide rate (relative to the general population) and increasing assaults on paramedics and other emergency workers - and the need to recognise and find solutions to these issues," Schanssema says.

"Signal 8"
By Erik Schanssema
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 192 pages | ISBN 9781504306003
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Erik Schanssema was born in the Netherlands in 1952 and migrated to Australia with his family in 1956. He was educated in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, and after trying various unfulfilling occupations he found a challenging and meaningful career in Ambulance Victoria. Schanssema had a career in ambulance with 36 years of experience where he worked as an ambulance officer and later as a mobile intensive care ambulance (MICA) paramedic. Now retired, Schanssema lives in Melbourne, Australia; he likes to read, write, paint, travel, improve his French, and embrace his passion for World War II history and aircraft.

Balboa Press Australia is a division of Hay House, Inc., a leading provider in publishing products that specialise in self-help and the mind, body and spirit genre. Through an alliance with indie book publishing leader Author Solutions, LLC, authors benefit from the leadership of Hay House Publishing and the speed-to-market advantages of the Author Solutions self-publishing model. For more information or to start publishing today, visit balboapress.com.au/ or call 1800 050 315. For the latest, follow @balboapress on Twitter and "Like" us at facebook.com/BalboaPress.