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

At the age of my late teens, my regular journey to work meant taking an packed public transport. It was perpetually full and would always be without any seats when I got on.

On one specific day, I started experiencing quite nauseous when the coach swayed around every turn. I kept telling myself to persevere another few kilometres so the bus could arrived at where I needed to get off, so I could then sprint quickly for the nearest public restroom to throw up.

We were coming down the avenue close to the stop when it dawned on me I would not be to hold on. Suddenly, it seemed a veil came over me. Everything just went hazy and muffled; like someone had cut the sound. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Thankfully, I was positioned toward the front inside the vehicle, allowing me to take several steps to ask the driver and told the operator to stop, explaining to him I needed to vomit. The driver opened the bus doors and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.

I was resolved to not get sick before a busy multi-lane road, so I gathered myself and endeavored to walk across to the park on the other side, where I thought I could at least find some privacy near some foliage to be sick. However I likely blacked out. I was aware of my limbs, but walking was impossible or see properly, so I started crawling towards the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I needed to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically helped me walk over to a close-by structure and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to stay with me but I refused.

A few minutes later, I felt better enough to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the door came him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I could not to stand up at that moment but did manage to express my gratitude and following a brief period was able to move my legs. I made my way home and then spent several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.

I did not see that man’s face – just his lower half along with a sizable steelwork tools container he had with him – yet he rescued me, during a time when I was completely helpless.

Often this world tends to make people defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that undoes that protective shell. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination is towards kindness, a quality I adore in other people.