After reading through all 8 pages, and wanting to bang my head against the wall numerous times, I think I'm gonna chime in.
I started at 14, started going on EMS jobs at 16. My first cardiac arrest was at 16, and it was my friend's father. Did that fuck me up in the head? Yes, for about a week. I was also lucky enough to have good providers to take me under their wing and form me into the medic I am now. They also knew when to talk to me and shield me.
I found something I enjoyed, and turned it into my career. Because of this, I did miss out on some of the things a normal 16 y/o would do. Would I go back and change it? No. Things happen for a reason.
The proverbial "Which came first?" question applies here. We all want competent, educated providers with experience, but how are above providers supposed to get educated and experienced? This argument has been going on since the beginning of time, and will continue forever.
Am I f--ked up in the head? Yes, I am. I have seen the things that some 16 y/o shouldn't have to deal with, including aforementioned arrest. However, it is a choice I made that my parents agreed with. It probably was because I was always mature for my age, all the way back to elementary school.
I still love my job and wouldn't do anything else in the world.
I'm one of them. 10 years so far, though I know I have a LOT more years I need to work to catch up to you two.