I Was So Ill I Couldn’t Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.

At the age of 19 years old, my daily commute was on an crowded coach. It remained crowded and was consistently completely full once I got on.

During a certain commute, I began feeling quite nauseous as the bus swayed around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to endure for a few more stops until the bus reached my stop, so I could then make a mad dash to the closest public toilet to be sick.

The bus was approaching the road leading to my stop and I realised I wasn’t going to make it. Suddenly, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. My vision turned white and really quiet; similar to when one turned off the audio. My mind raced, “I’m going to faint”.

Fortunately, I stood toward the front of the bus, allowing me to take a few steps forward and told the operator to pull over, explaining to him I was going to vomit. He opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.

My intention was to not get sick in view 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 find some privacy near some foliage to throw up. However I apparently blacked out. I was aware of my limbs, but I was unable to walk or see properly, so I began crawling towards the grassy area.

“Are you okay, dear?”

In that instant, I got scooped up. I sensed someone holding me and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I explained to this unknown man that I had to to get to a bathroom. So he virtually helped me walk down into an adjacent building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me whether I required him to stay with me but I declined.

Not long after, I felt better enough to sit down when from beyond the door I heard his voice asking, “Do you need anything, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to get up just then but I was able to express my gratitude and following a brief period was able to move my feet. I made my way home and spent several days getting over what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.

I never saw that man’s face – merely his legs and a large metal toolbox he was carrying – yet he rescued me, at a moment I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that protective shell. He was proof that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish in other people.