Feeling So Sick Walking Was Impossible When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.

During my 19 years old, my daily commute meant taking an crowded coach. It remained crowded and invariably became without any seats once I stepped aboard.

One particular morning, I began feeling incredibly sick when the coach rocked around every turn. I repeatedly told myself to hold on just a little longer until the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, so I could then sprint quickly to the closest public restroom to be sick.

The bus was approaching the street towards the stop when I realised I would not be to hold on. All of a sudden, it was like a veil came over me. Everything just went blank and silent; similar to when one cut the sound. I thought, “I will lose consciousness”.

Thankfully, I was positioned near the front inside the vehicle, so I took several steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to open the doors, explaining to him I needed to vomit. The driver opened the bus doors and I stumbled out out onto the street.

My intention was not to vomit in front of six lanes of traffic, so I forced myself up and endeavored to walk across to the park opposite the street, where I believed I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to vomit. Yet I must have blacked out. I could feel my body but I was unable to walk or see clearly, so I began dragging myself toward the park.

“Everything alright, love?”

Right then, someone picked me up. I sensed an arm around my waist and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I told this kind passerby that I needed to be sick. Thus, he practically helped me walk over to a nearby building and placed me into the female bathroom. He inquired if I wanted him to wait for me but I declined.

Not long after, I regained my composure to the point of sitting on the toilet and from the other side of the door I heard him ask, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I could not to rise right away but did manage to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my feet. I got myself home and then spent the following days getting over what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see his features – just his lower half along with a sizable metal toolbox he had with him – but he saved me, at a moment I was at my most vulnerable.

Many times, life has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that protective shell. He demonstrated that our default setting leans toward compassion, something I love in other people.