I Was So Ill I Couldn’t Walk As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to a Bathroom.

Back when I was 19 years old, my daily commute involved an packed public transport. It remained full and would always be completely full by the time I stepped aboard.

One particular morning, I started experiencing incredibly sick as the bus swayed around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to hold on for a few more stops so the bus could reached my stop, and then I could sprint quickly to the closest public restroom to vomit.

We were coming down the street towards my stop and it dawned on me I was unable to make it. Suddenly, it was like a curtain fell over me. The world became white and really quiet; like someone had cut the sound. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Fortunately, I stood close to the driver on the bus, so I took a few steps forward and told the operator to pull over, informing him I needed to vomit. The driver opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.

I was resolved to not get sick before six lanes of traffic, so I gathered myself and started trying to make my way across to the park across the road, where I thought I could at least secretly conceal myself near some foliage to throw up. However I apparently fainted. I sensed my limbs, but walking was impossible or see clearly, so I began dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

In that instant, someone picked me up. I felt an arm around my waist and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I told this kind passerby that I required to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost helped me walk over to a close-by structure and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me whether I required him to wait for me but I refused.

After a short while, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I could not to rise at that moment but did manage to say thank you and shortly thereafter regained the function of my legs. I made my way home passing the following days healing from what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.

I did not see the stranger’s face – only his legs and a large steelwork tools container he was carrying – but he saved me, during a time when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that protective shell. He was proof that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, a quality I adore in other people.