In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Virtually Carried Me to a Bathroom.

During my my late teens, my regular journey to work meant taking an packed public transport. It remained jammed and would always be completely full by the time I boarded.

One particular morning, I was feeling terribly ill as the bus lurched around each corner. I kept telling myself to persevere another few kilometres so the bus could reached where I needed to get off, so I could then sprint quickly toward the most convenient public restroom to throw up.

As we neared the street towards my stop and I understood I would not be to last. In an instant, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. My vision turned blank and silent; similar to when one turned off the audio. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Fortunately, I stood toward the front inside the vehicle, allowing me to take a few steps forward and told the operator to stop, telling him that I was about to get ill. He opened the entrance and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.

I was resolved to not get sick in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and began attempting to walk across to the park across the road, where I believed I could at least discreetly hide among some shrubs to be sick. Yet I apparently lost consciousness. I could feel my limbs, but walking was impossible or see clearly, so I started dragging myself toward my intended destination.

“You right, love?”

Right then, someone picked me up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I needed to vomit. Thus, he practically carried me over to a close-by structure and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired whether I required him to remain with me but I refused.

After a short while, I felt better to the point of sitting on the restroom floor and from the other side of the stall I heard him ask, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I could not to get up right away but I was able to thank him and shortly thereafter was able to move my limbs. I got myself home and spent the next few days recovering from what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see the stranger’s face – merely his legs and the big steelwork tools container he held – but he saved me, when I was in my weakest state.

Often this world can make you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that protective shell. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish in other people.