In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk When a Man Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.

At the age of nineteenth year, my regular journey to work meant taking an express bus. It remained jammed and was consistently standing room only by the time I stepped aboard.

During a certain commute, I began feeling terribly ill as the bus rocked around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to endure for a few more stops so the bus could got to where I needed to get off, at which point I could sprint quickly toward the most convenient washroom to vomit.

We were coming down the avenue close to the destination as it dawned on me I wasn’t going to last. All of a sudden, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. Everything just went hazy and muffled; as if someone muted everything. My mind raced, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was near the front of the bus, allowing me to take a few steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to stop, telling him I needed to be sick. He promptly opened the entrance and I weakly exited on to the pavement.

My intention was to not get sick in front of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and started trying to stumble toward the green space opposite the street, where I thought I could at least find some privacy among some shrubs to vomit. However I apparently blacked out. I was aware of my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk and my vision was blurry, so I began dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

Right then, I was lifted up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “You right, love?” I told this unknown man that I needed to vomit. So he virtually supported my weight over to an adjacent building and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I wanted him to wait for me but I refused.

Not long after, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the door I heard him ask, “Are you OK, love? Is there anything you require?” I was incapable to rise right away but I did succeed to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes was able to move my limbs. I returned home and then spent the following days healing from which was a severe stomach virus.

I did not see that man’s face – only his legs and a large metal toolbox he had with him – but he saved me, when I was in my weakest state.

Many times, life has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that hardening of the heart. He was proof that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.