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

During my nineteenth year, my daily commute was on an packed public transport. The vehicle was always crowded and would always be completely full when I stepped aboard.

One particular morning, I was feeling terribly ill while the vehicle rocked around every turn. I repeatedly told myself to persevere another few kilometres before the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, at which point I could sprint quickly to the closest public restroom to be sick.

As we neared the road leading to the stop when I understood I was unable to make it. In an instant, it was like a fog descended upon me. The world became blank and silent; similar to when one turned off the audio. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was close to the driver of the bus, allowing me to take a few steps toward the driver and told the operator to pull over, explaining to him I was going to vomit. He opened the doors and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.

I was determined not to vomit in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I forced myself up and began attempting to stumble to the park on the other side, where I thought I could at least find some privacy behind a bush to throw up. However I likely lost consciousness. I was aware of my physical self, yet I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I started dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“Are you okay, dear?”

At that moment, someone picked me up. I felt an arm around my waist and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I explained to this unknown man that I needed to vomit. So he virtually helped me walk over to a nearby building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He wanted to know if I wanted him to wait for me but I said no.

After a short while, I felt better enough to sit on the toilet when from beyond the door came his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I could not to get up right away but I was able to say thank you and following a brief period recovered the use of my limbs. I got myself home and then spent the following days getting over what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.

I never saw that man’s face – just his lower half along with a sizable steelwork tools container he was carrying – but he saved me, during a time when I was completely helpless.

Often this world can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. What he did was the kind of action that melts away that emotional callousness. He was proof that people’s natural inclination is to be kind, something I love about humanity.