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Cisco – A great place to work

Bob O’Sullivan
October 20, 2015

Following months of planning our USA trip, my Son Tom and I set off on Monday 27^th July.

The first days of our trip were as planned with many of the sights of New York visited, photographed and enjoyed, everything was going according to our plans.

Friday 31^st July, we set off for a Helicopter ride over New York, followed by lunch with a friend who lives in New York. From there it was off to the USS Intrepid, a US Air craft carrier, moored on the Hudson River.

It was whilst visiting this attraction I started to feel unwell, with chest pains and breathing difficulties. My son Tom noticed this and suggested we find some shade to sit in, as it was a very hot day in New York. The shade helped a little but I could not get my breathing under control and Tom then suggested we headed back to ground level, where there were more shaded areas and fans.

After a period of time, it was agreed that Paramedics were needed and were called for. It was decided I need to be treated in hospital.

During the medical investigation the Doctor passed comment, that I may be having or have had a Heart attack. It was later confirmed I had indeed suffered a Heart Attack and from there treatment started.

It was at this time (05.00 in the UK) that I thought is best to call my wife, Jill in the UK and let her know of my predicament. I’ll leave you to imagine the shock she received but it true stoic fashion she took over, even from 3,000 miles away.

I also alerted Cisco to my situation, via my boss Rachel Gray and was totally blown away in what they did and how quickly they did it.

They helped by taking control of the situation and the support they provided to me and my wife was second to none. They helped to arrange for my wife to fly over to New York to be with me and my son, they organised transport to rush her to the hospital where I was staying and helped find accommodation. The Cisco team regularly communicated with Jill via home phone and also her mobile and nothing was left to chance. I have shared this with many people I know, both colleagues and friends and even people who were caring for me in New York and most (outside of Cisco) have asked if I can get them a job!. There are many other things Cisco did to help during this time to help me and my family and rest assured it all fits under the same banner.

Is this a “Great place to work” – I think you know my answer to that one, Yes it is!