Last night I was about to leave work when I noticed an elderly, disabled man on his motorized scooter. It had broken down on the sidewalk in front of our school, which is in a somewhat seedy neighborhood.
There was no way we could lift the scooter and move it, it was way too heavy. And, the man didn't want to leave the scooter because he was afraid it would be vandalized. The wind was icy cold and he had no money, no cell phone, and no family nearby.
I thought to call the police - 311 - but they said they couldn't do anything about this. I wondered ... so they would rather wait to get a call that he's been assaulted? Then I called AAA roadside assistance. I offered to upgrade my account so that he could.jpg)
get help, but they said it would take 48 hours to clear unless it was an emergency. I said this was an emergency; they said it wasn't.
So I went to the corner liquor store, took out some cash and called a tow truck. This morning I came to work and the man was waiting for me, the $140 in hand to give back. He wouldn't keep it. Instead, he put it in a Christmas card and said, "Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
There was no way we could lift the scooter and move it, it was way too heavy. And, the man didn't want to leave the scooter because he was afraid it would be vandalized. The wind was icy cold and he had no money, no cell phone, and no family nearby.
I thought to call the police - 311 - but they said they couldn't do anything about this. I wondered ... so they would rather wait to get a call that he's been assaulted? Then I called AAA roadside assistance. I offered to upgrade my account so that he could
get help, but they said it would take 48 hours to clear unless it was an emergency. I said this was an emergency; they said it wasn't.So I went to the corner liquor store, took out some cash and called a tow truck. This morning I came to work and the man was waiting for me, the $140 in hand to give back. He wouldn't keep it. Instead, he put it in a Christmas card and said, "Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
2376 Reads
- Posted by teresa3
- Nov 28, 2015
- Comments (19)
Readers Comments
rnteach wrote: practice Mother Teresa's words......
rganeden2u wrote: That showed you cared enough to help. And you gave him time. . Great story. Thank you for showing your humanity, teresa
rganeden2u wrote: You gave him 2 things he desperately needed. Acknowledgement that he was a human being and
Robertaritson wrote: How powerful to simply take on responsibility and leave all that room of different ways of being. A story of hope anyone can be inspired by.
Mason wrote: Teresa3, you are a kind and thoughtful person. You've gone out of your way to help someone in need. We are all inspired by your actions.
lt33 wrote: What a touching story & how u found a way to help this guy in a time of need ðŸ‘ðŸ‘
melnotes wrote: How awesome :)
terre wrote: Great story! Thank you so much for sharing it.
AndiCas wrote: That's a brilliant story all round. Thanks so much for sharing it, and for saving this man from a cold and potentially scary evening.
savraj wrote: Oh wow! This is so heartwarming!
