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

At the age of my late teens, my morning travel was on an packed public transport. The vehicle was always crowded and would always be completely full once I got on.

One particular morning, I began feeling incredibly sick when the coach lurched around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to endure for a few more stops until the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, so I could then rush hurriedly to the closest public restroom to be sick.

We were coming down the road leading to the stop when I understood I was unable to hold on. Suddenly, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. Everything just went blank and silent; as if someone muted everything. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Luckily I was toward the front on the bus, allowing me to take a couple of steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to stop, informing him that I was about to get ill. He opened the doors and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.

I was determined to avoid being sick in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I forced myself up and began attempting to walk toward the green space on the other side, where I believed I could at least find some privacy behind a bush to vomit. However I likely fainted. I could feel my body but I couldn’t walk or see clearly, so I began crawling towards my intended destination.

“Are you okay, dear?”

Right then, I got scooped up. I sensed someone holding me and heard a man say, “Are you okay, dear?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I had to to vomit. Thus, he practically supported my weight down into an adjacent building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I needed him to wait for me but I said no.

A few minutes later, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor and from the other side of the stall I heard him ask, “Do you need anything, love? Is there anything you require?” I could not to stand up right away but I was able to say thank you and after a few more minutes was able to move my legs. I returned home and then spent the following days healing from what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.

I did not see his features – just his lower half and a large steelwork tools container he had with him – but he saved me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.

Often this world tends to make people defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that protective shell. He was proof that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, something I love about my fellow humans.

Rita Jenkins
Rita Jenkins

A financial strategist with over a decade of experience in wealth management and investment planning, dedicated to empowering others.