In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Virtually Carried Me to a Bathroom.

At the age of 19 years old, my morning travel meant taking an express bus. It was perpetually full and was consistently completely full by the time I stepped aboard.

On one specific day, I was feeling terribly ill when the coach swayed around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to persevere just a little longer before the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, at which point I could rush hurriedly to the closest public toilet to vomit.

We were coming down the street towards my stop and I realised I was unable to last. All of a sudden, it seemed a curtain fell over me. The world became blank and silent; like someone had turned off the audio. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Fortunately, I stood near the front inside the vehicle, allowing me to take several steps forward and told the operator to stop, explaining to him that I was about to get ill. The driver opened the doors and I stumbled out on to the pavement.

My intention was to not get sick before a busy multi-lane road, so I gathered myself and started trying to make my way to the park across the road, thinking I could I’d at least be able to find some privacy behind a bush to vomit. But then I apparently lost consciousness. I was aware of my physical self, yet walking was impossible or see clearly, so I began inching my way to my intended destination.

“Are you okay, dear?”

At that moment, I was lifted up. There was a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I explained to this kind passerby that I had to to vomit. Thus, he practically carried me into an adjacent building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me whether I required him to wait for me but I said no.

Not long after, I felt better enough to sit down when from beyond the door came his voice asking, “Do you need anything, love? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to stand up at that moment but I was able to thank him and following a brief period regained the function of my feet. I got myself home and then spent the following days getting over which was a severe stomach virus.

I did not see his features – just his lower half and the big steelwork tools container he held – but he saved me, when I was in my weakest state.

Often this world can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that emotional callousness. He was proof that people’s natural inclination is to be kind, something I love in other people.