In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.

Back when I was 19 years old, my daily commute was on an express bus. It was perpetually full and invariably became without any seats when I stepped aboard.

One particular morning, I began feeling incredibly sick while the vehicle lurched around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to hold on just a little longer until the bus got to my stop, so I could then rush hurriedly for the nearest washroom to throw up.

We were coming down the street towards the stop when I understood I was unable to hold on. In an instant, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. The world became blank and silent; as if someone cut the sound. I said to myself, “I will lose consciousness”.

Thankfully, I was positioned close to the driver on the bus, allowing me to take a couple of steps to ask the driver and told the operator to pull over, informing him I needed to get ill. He promptly opened the bus doors and I weakly exited out onto the street.

I was determined to avoid being sick in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and endeavored to stumble toward the green space across the road, where I believed I could at least secretly conceal myself behind a bush to throw up. However I must have lost consciousness. I could feel my limbs, but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I began inching my way to my intended destination.

“Are you okay, dear?”

Right then, I was lifted up. I sensed an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “You right, love?” I told this mysterious stranger that I required to vomit. Therefore, he almost carried me down into a nearby building and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know if I wanted him to wait for me but I said no.

After a short while, I regained my composure to the point of sitting on the toilet and from outside the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I was incapable to stand up at that moment but I was able to thank him and shortly thereafter regained the function of my limbs. I made my way home and spent the following days recovering from what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.

I did not see the stranger’s face – merely his legs and a large metal toolbox he had with him – but he helped me, during a time when I was in my weakest state.

Frequently, society can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. What he did was the kind of action that melts away that protective shell. He demonstrated that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about humanity.