Feeling So Sick I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to a Restroom.

At the age of 19 years old, my morning travel meant taking an crowded coach. It was perpetually crowded and was consistently without any seats once I boarded.

On one specific day, I started experiencing terribly ill as the bus rocked around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to persevere another few kilometres so the bus could arrived at where I needed to get off, at which point I could rush hurriedly toward the most convenient public toilet to throw up.

We were coming down the road leading to my stop and it dawned on me I was unable to last. All of a sudden, it seemed a curtain fell over me. My vision turned blank and silent; similar to when one turned off the audio. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Fortunately, I stood near the front inside the vehicle, allowing me to take a couple of steps toward the driver and asked the driver to pull over, informing him I was going to vomit. The driver opened the bus doors and I stumbled out on to the pavement.

I was resolved not to vomit before a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and endeavored to stumble to the park opposite the street, thinking I could I could at least discreetly hide behind a bush to vomit. However I apparently blacked out. I could feel my physical self, yet walking was impossible or see properly, so I began dragging myself toward the park.

“You right, love?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. There was an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I explained to this unknown man that I required to get to a bathroom. So he virtually supported my weight into a nearby building and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know if I wanted him to remain with me but I said no.

A few minutes later, I felt better enough to sit down and from outside the door I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I could not to rise right away but did manage to thank him and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my legs. I got myself home and then spent several days getting over what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see the stranger’s face – just his lower half and the big container for tools he held – but he helped me, during a time when I was completely helpless.

Often this world tends to make people guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that emotional callousness. He was proof that people’s natural inclination is to be kind, a quality I adore in other people.