Only occasionally have I blogged about anything that really wasn't "homemaking" related. Something very troubling happened yesterday...
My husband had some surgery a couple of days ago. He's fine. Don't worry. He had to spend the night at the hospital for observation so I spent the night in a motel. Yesterday morning I left my motel and drove to the hospital to await his discharge. Just one city block from my destination, I was in the middle lane of a main road in that city. I stopped at an intersection and looked over to the right. I was surrounded by other cars. It was a busy time in the morning. I saw a man standing in the middle of the intersection road near the intersection. I thought and probably said out loud, "Hey, mister. Get off the road!" Then he started to walk a little and collapsed on the road. Shortly he got up and was staggering around and fell a second time. He was completely disoriented. He came onto the road I was traveling and fell again and someone actually honked at him! He moved a little closer to the curb and sat there. I wanted to stop and help him and didn't know what to do. I hesitated and I got honked at! I concluded there was no safe way to stop, so I proceeded to the hospital parking lot and called 911 emergency services. The woman I gave the report to said they would send police to check on him. I have no idea what happened. He could have been struck by a car. I will never know. It broke my heart! I wanted to take him by the hand and say, "Hey, let's get you onto the sidewalk" and then call 911.
I got to thinking about it later and I believe that if it had been a DOG or a momma duck with babies behind her, most people would have stopped and traffic would have stopped and the dog or whatever would have been rescued. I don't understand people. I imagine some of them did not notice him, but a lot would have had to see him. It's tragic.
I agree with you, an animal would have received more care and courtesy. We have become fragmented as a society. But I ask you, isn't an ill human being as helpless an an animal in that same circumstances? Maybe we should keep this in mind, it will benefit us all. I appreciate that you wrote about this, we all need to rethink how we respond. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI do realize that we need to be careful, but I really feel this was a genuinely ill man. Maybe he was under the influence, maybe he was having a stroke... but in any case, he needed help now. Thank you for your thoughts.
DeleteIn my area it can be a trap to rob and car jack people. You see the person stumble, you get out to help and a group of thugs rob you/ steal your car at gun point.This may not have been the case in this incident but many times depending where live it is. Less likely to happen with animals.... Sadly, it's the world we live in.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers go out to your husband and praying for a speedy recovery. (sorry hit the post button too soon) Patti Ann
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. He is fine. Just needs a little time to heal. I understand what you are saying about the dangers of helping a stranger, and yet I really think he needed help. The poor man. :(
DeleteSo, thankful you called 911 for him, it is heartbreaking that ever Seem annoyed by him. The same thing happened to my husband on the way home. A man stumbled out in front of him, laying on the road. He suddenly got up and continued down the sidewalk. Strange?? Wishing your husband well!
ReplyDeleteSo glad u called 911 for this man. Wishing your husband well. Simply Farmhouse
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. My husband is recovered now and doing well.
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