NDA: Okay, let’s get right to it. Lauren, we understand that you are a nurse who, these days, is working in a Covid-19 testing tent in Ashland, KY.
You’re on the front lines of this battle. What is it like?
LAUREN: This is all very surreal. I have a background in emergency nursing and until now, I thought I had seen it all. When the drive through testing began, the numbers were nowhere near what they are now. We are seeing almost 100 patients daily and anticipate the number to increase.
This whole process of testing must run like a well-oiled machine. Our team consists of typically 4 to 5 nurses and we split up tasks that include assessing and testing the patients. Each patient has an appointment time given to them to come though the drive through, but since we are double and triple booking patients in time slots, it can make things very hectic. Our personal protective equipment is scarce and while our hospital has been very great to support us, we are starting to also rely on donations from the community.
NDA: Did you ever think that what you do would be considered heroic by so many of us?
LAUREN: Not at all. I always knew I wanted to be a nurse and have never really thought about what I am doing as heroic or brave. I love being a nurse and this is my calling. Working on the front lines of this pandemic has been scary and I would be lying if I said I haven’t cried at work or had an emotional breakdown over this. With that said, being considered heroic is a surprise to me but I have never felt more honored.
NDA: Lauren, tell us a bit about yourself—where you grew up and live now…and your family. Besides work (and darts) any hobbies or interests?
LAUREN: I grew up in Huntington, West Virginia and now reside in Kenova, West Virginia with my husband, Rick Scarberry (also a dart player) and 9-year-old son, Gunnar. When we aren’t working and have a weekend to ourselves, we try to spend time with family and friends. We enjoy camping and taking trips during the summer. For the past 3 years, we have hosted a foreign exchange student during the school year. Being able to do this has been a great experience for our family and since Rick and I are very social, we have loved meeting our students and getting to know their families.
NDA: How and when did you start playing darts?
LAUREN: I started playing soft tip darts in 2008. A friend of mine asked me to sub on his team for league night and even though I was nervous and didn’t want to, I am glad I did. I was hooked after I played that night and have been playing ever since.
NDA: How often do you play now?
LAUREN: I typically play one night of league and will start to also play in travel league this coming July. Before social distancing and the closing of bars in our area, Rick and I typically made it to one tournament per week. We don’t have a board at home, which has made this stay at home order very difficult!
NDA: How would you describe your game?
LAUREN: I feel that I am a strong player and confident about my strategies when playing. I go back on forth on whether I feel 01 or cricket is my stronger game. I throw my best when I am at a tournament or have a little bit of pressure on me.
NDA: What do you like most about darts?
LAUREN: The competition in darts is addictive. Once you start playing and find teammates that you enjoy throwing with, it becomes something to really look forward to. I have met some of the most wonderful people through dart league and dart tournaments. Dart players treat each other like family and I think that whole aspect is very special. I also met my husband through throwing darts and feel very blessed for that.
NDA: If you could pick one person you’d like to play a game of darts with, who would it be and why?
LAUREN: Fallon Sherrock. Her confidence is something to be admired, and not just because she is a fellow female dart player. She has achievements in the game that have surpassed both female and male dart players. She would destroy me in a game of darts, but it would still be awesome to play with her.
NDA: You’re a veteran of NDA’s Team Dart. How many years have you been competing in Las Vegas and what are your thoughts on this annual event?
LAUREN: My first Team Dart was in 2010. Team Dart is a great experience for any dart player because of the various events and the chance to meet and play against people from all over the world. I also think it is great that there are so many different levels, which gives everyone a chance to compete.
NDA: What is your favorite…
…Movie: Step Brothers
…Music or band: Fleetwood Mac
…Food: Sushi
…TV show: RuPaul’s Drag Race
…Thing to do in Vegas (besides playing darts): I love going to the buffets! My favorite place to go is Fremont Street.
NDA: This year’s 35thanniversary Team Dart was shaping up to be a special, memorable event. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, NDA was forced to cancel. Now that it’s been a couple of weeks since the decision to cancel Team Dart was made, how do you feel about things?
LAUREN: I was disappointed, just like I am sure everyone else was. I can honestly say that I saw the cancellation coming after seeing the daily changes with the COVID 19 virus and how bad it was progressing throughout the country. Cancelling the event was difficult for everyone to handle, but it was also the safest thing that could have been done for our dart players.
NDA: Finally, besides your nursing duties, what have you been doing to get through these challenging times? What is your typical day like?
LAUREN: I have recently started sewing masks for myself, friends and all my co-workers. This has helped pass the time at home in the evenings and it makes me feel safer to know we will all at least have a back up mask to wear in case the mask shortage becomes worse than it already is. A typical day for me is working a 12-hour shift and coming home to take care of my son. I am currently in nurse practitioner school and stay very busy with homework assignments.
NDA: Again, Lauren, thank you for what you are doing during this pandemic.
We hope you will be back playing darts soon and joining us in Vegas for
Team Dart next April.
LAUREN: We will be there for sure! And thank you! ????
Published April 6, 2020