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

At the age of 19 years old, my regular journey to work involved an express bus. It remained full and would always be completely full when I got on.

During a certain commute, I began feeling terribly ill while the vehicle rocked around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to persevere for a few more stops until the bus reached where I needed to get off, and then I could make a mad dash toward the most convenient washroom to vomit.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to the destination as I understood I wasn’t going to hold on. Suddenly, it felt as if a veil came over me. The world became hazy and muffled; as if someone muted everything. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Fortunately, I stood close to the driver of the bus, so I took a few steps to ask the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, explaining to him I needed to vomit. He opened the bus doors and I stumbled out out onto the street.

I was determined not to vomit in front of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and began attempting to stumble across to the park opposite the street, thinking I could it would allow me to find some privacy behind a bush to throw up. However I likely lost consciousness. I was aware of my body but I was unable to walk or see clearly, leading me to start crawling towards the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

At that moment, I was lifted up. I felt someone holding me and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I required to be sick. Thus, he practically carried me into a nearby building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired if I wanted him to stay with me but I refused.

A few minutes later, I felt better sufficiently to sit on the toilet when from beyond the door came him ask, “Are you OK, love? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to get up just then but did manage to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my feet. I returned home and then spent the following days getting over what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never saw the stranger’s face – only his legs along with a sizable metal toolbox he had with him – yet he rescued me, at a moment I was completely helpless.

Often this world can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. What he did was the kind of action that undoes that protective shell. He demonstrated that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, something I love about humanity.