Feeling So Sick I Was Unable to Walk When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to a Restroom.

Back when I was 19 years old, my regular journey to work was on an packed public transport. It remained jammed and would always be without any seats when I stepped aboard.

One particular morning, I began feeling terribly ill when the coach swayed around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to hold on just a little longer so the bus could reached where I needed to get off, at which point I could make a mad dash toward the most convenient washroom to vomit.

As we neared the road leading to my stop and it dawned on me I was unable to last. In an instant, it was like a veil came over me. The world became hazy and muffled; similar to when one muted everything. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front on the bus, so I managed a few steps forward and requested that the driver to stop, telling him I needed to vomit. The driver opened the doors and I weakly exited onto the sidewalk.

My intention was to not get sick before six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and started trying to stumble toward the green space across the road, thinking I could I could at least secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to be sick. Yet I likely lost consciousness. I was aware of my physical self, yet I was unable to walk or see clearly, so I began dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

At that moment, I got scooped up. I felt an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the unknown man that I had to to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost supported my weight over to a nearby building and put me into the female bathroom. He inquired if I wanted him to stay with me but I refused.

Not long after, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the toilet when from beyond the door I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to rise at that moment but I was able to say thank you and shortly thereafter recovered the use of my limbs. I got myself home passing the following days healing from which was a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never saw the stranger’s face – just his lower half and a large container for tools he was carrying – but he helped me, during a time when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world tends to make people self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that hardening of the heart. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.