In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.

At the age of 19 years old, my morning travel meant taking an crowded coach. It remained jammed and invariably became without any seats when I boarded.

During a certain commute, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I repeatedly told myself to hold on just a little longer so the bus could arrived at where I needed to get off, and then I could sprint quickly toward the most convenient public restroom to be sick.

The bus was approaching the road leading to the destination as it dawned on me I was unable to last. In an instant, it was like a veil came over me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; as if someone cut the sound. My mind raced, “I will lose consciousness”.

Luckily I was close to the driver inside the vehicle, so I took several steps to ask the driver and told the operator to pull over, informing him I needed to vomit. He promptly opened the bus doors and I stumbled out out onto the street.

I was resolved not to vomit before six lanes of traffic, so I gathered myself and began attempting to walk toward the green space across the road, where I believed I could at least secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to be sick. Yet I must have blacked out. I sensed my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk or see properly, so I began crawling towards my intended destination.

“You right, love?”

At that moment, someone picked me up. There was a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I told this kind passerby that I had to to vomit. So he virtually helped me walk into an adjacent building and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me whether I required him to stay with me but I refused.

A few minutes later, I had recovered enough to sit down and from outside the door I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I could not to stand up right away but did manage to say thank you and after a few more minutes regained the function of my legs. I made my way home and spent several days healing from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.

I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – merely his legs and a large steelwork tools container he was carrying – but he saved me, at a moment I was completely helpless.

Often this world can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. What he did was the kind of action that reverses that protective shell. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, something I love about humanity.