I Was So Ill Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.

At the age of 19 years old, my daily commute was on an packed public transport. It was perpetually full and was consistently without any seats by the time I boarded.

On one specific day, I started experiencing quite nauseous as the bus lurched around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to persevere just a little longer so the bus could arrived at my stop, at which point I could sprint quickly toward the most convenient public restroom to throw up.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to the destination as I understood I wasn’t going to last. All of a sudden, it felt as if a veil came over me. The world became blank and silent; like someone had muted everything. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Luckily I was close to the driver inside the vehicle, so I took a few steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to stop, explaining to him that I was about to be sick. He promptly opened the doors and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.

I was resolved to avoid being sick before a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and started trying to walk to the park opposite the street, thinking I could I’d at least be able to find some privacy behind a bush to be sick. However I must have fainted. I was aware of my limbs, but I was unable to walk or see clearly, leading me to start dragging myself toward my intended destination.

“You right, love?”

In that instant, someone picked me up. There was a strong arm supporting me and heard a man say, “Are you okay, dear?” I managed to tell the unknown man that I needed to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost helped me walk down into a close-by structure and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired if I wanted him to remain with me but I refused.

A few minutes later, I had recovered sufficiently to sit down and from the other side of the stall I heard him inquire, “Do you need anything, love? Is there anything you require?” I could not to rise at that moment but I was able to say thank you and shortly thereafter was able to move my legs. I made my way home passing several days recovering from which was a severe stomach virus.

I never saw that man’s face – merely his legs and a large container for tools he had with him – but he helped me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.

Frequently, society has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that emotional callousness. He was proof that our default setting is to be kind, something I love in other people.