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

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

During a certain commute, I was feeling quite nauseous when the coach rocked around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to endure another few kilometres so the bus could reached my destination, so I could then sprint quickly for the nearest public restroom to throw up.

We were coming down the road leading to the destination as it dawned on me I would not be to hold on. All of a sudden, it seemed a curtain fell over me. My vision turned white and really quiet; as if someone turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front of the bus, so I took a few steps toward the driver and told the operator to pull over, telling him I needed to vomit. He opened the entrance and I stumbled out out onto the street.

I was resolved to avoid being sick in front of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and endeavored to make my way to the park across the road, thinking I could I could at least secretly conceal myself near some foliage to vomit. Yet I likely lost consciousness. I sensed my limbs, but I couldn’t walk or see properly, so I started crawling towards the park.

“Everything alright, love?”

At that moment, someone picked me up. I sensed an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I needed to vomit. So he virtually helped me walk down into an adjacent building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired if I wanted him to wait for me but I refused.

Not long after, I felt better enough to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the door came him ask, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to rise at that moment but did manage to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my legs. I returned home passing the next few days getting over what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.

I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – merely his legs and the big steelwork tools container he held – but he helped me, during a time when I was in my weakest state.

Frequently, society tends to make people self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that hardening of the heart. He demonstrated that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, something I love about my fellow humans.