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

Back when I was 19 years old, my morning travel was on an packed public transport. It remained crowded and was consistently without any seats when I boarded.

During a certain commute, I started experiencing incredibly sick while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to hold on just a little longer before the bus got to my destination, at which point I could rush hurriedly toward the most convenient public restroom to throw up.

As we neared the street towards my stop and I realised I would not be to last. Suddenly, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; as if someone muted everything. My mind raced, “I will lose consciousness”.

Thankfully, I was positioned near the front of the bus, so I managed a couple of steps forward and asked the driver to open the doors, explaining to him that I was about to get ill. He promptly opened the bus doors and I weakly exited on to the pavement.

I was determined to not get sick in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I gathered myself and started trying to stumble to the park across the road, where I believed I’d at least be able to discreetly hide near some foliage to vomit. However I likely lost consciousness. I was aware of my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk or see clearly, leading me to start crawling towards the park.

“You right, love?”

Right then, I got scooped up. There was a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I told this kind passerby that I required to be sick. Therefore, he almost supported my weight into a nearby building and put me into the female bathroom. He asked me if I wanted him to stay with me but I said no.

After a short while, I felt better sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor when from beyond the door I heard him ask, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but did manage to thank him and after a few more minutes regained the function of my legs. I returned home and then spent the following days recovering from what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see that man’s face – just his lower half and the big metal toolbox he had with him – 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 act was the type of kindness that reverses that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that our default setting leans toward compassion, something I love about my fellow humans.