In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Practically Supported Me to a Restroom.

During my nineteenth year, my regular journey to work involved an crowded coach. The vehicle was always crowded and invariably became completely full by the time I stepped aboard.

During a certain commute, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle rocked around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to endure just a little longer so the bus could arrived at where I needed to get off, at which point I could make a mad dash to the closest public toilet to be sick.

As we neared the street towards the stop when I understood I wasn’t going to last. In an instant, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; like someone had turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.

Luckily I was close to the driver of the bus, allowing me to take a few steps to ask the driver and requested that the driver to stop, informing him I was going to get ill. The driver opened the doors and I weakly exited on to the pavement.

My intention was to avoid being sick in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and started trying to walk toward the green space across the road, where I thought I’d at least be able to discreetly hide near some foliage to be sick. However I likely lost consciousness. I could feel my limbs, but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I began crawling towards my intended destination.

“Everything alright, love?”

At that moment, someone picked me up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I told this kind passerby that I required to be sick. Therefore, he almost supported my weight into a close-by structure and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to wait for me but I declined.

A few minutes later, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor and from outside the door came him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to get up right away but I did succeed to express my gratitude and shortly thereafter regained the function of my limbs. I got myself home and then spent the following days getting over what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see his features – only his legs along with a sizable metal toolbox he was carrying – but he saved me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.

Many times, life has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that protective shell. He demonstrated that our default setting is towards kindness, a trait I cherish in other people.