I Was So Ill Walking Was Impossible When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.

Back when I was my late teens, my regular journey to work involved an crowded coach. The vehicle was always crowded and would always be completely full once I boarded.

One particular morning, I was feeling quite nauseous as the bus swayed around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to hold on for a few more stops so the bus could got to my stop, so I could then rush hurriedly to the closest public toilet to be sick.

As we neared the road leading to the stop when I realised I wasn’t going to hold on. In an instant, it was like a veil came over me. The world became blank and silent; similar to when one muted everything. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.

Luckily I was near the front inside the vehicle, so I took a few steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to stop, explaining to him I needed to be sick. The driver opened the doors and I weakly exited out onto the street.

I was determined not to vomit before six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and endeavored to stumble toward the green space opposite the street, where I believed I’d at least be able to find some privacy behind a bush to throw up. However I must have blacked out. I could feel my limbs, but I couldn’t walk or see clearly, so I began inching my way to the park.

“Are you okay, dear?”

In that instant, I got scooped up. There was an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I told this unknown man that I needed to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost supported my weight into a close-by structure and placed me into the female bathroom. He inquired whether I required him to wait for me but I said no.

After a short while, I regained my composure enough to sit down when from beyond the door came his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I was incapable to stand up at that moment but I did succeed to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my legs. I got myself home passing the following days getting over what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see that man’s face – only his legs and a large metal toolbox he had with him – but he helped me, at a moment I was completely helpless.

Frequently, society has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that emotional callousness. He was proof that people’s natural inclination is to be kind, something I love about humanity.