I was just about to leave the mall. Scooting to a back entrance that not many seem to use. (Love that entrance because it is not very busy back there.) As I walked by the escalator I glanced up and saw a gray faced lady sitting on the steps as they descended. Huh? This isn’t normal. I hesitated for a moment, took a step back and yelled up. Are you okay? She shook her head adamantly. NO.
I dropped my bags and ran to the bottom of the escalator. Met her there just in time. Simultaneously, I began to politely request help from the people who were just walking by. Walking by? Screw polite! HELLO!!! WE NEED HELP. I began to yell. That got me some attention.
Two old birdies came rushing over to help us.
Between the three “rescuers’” we got the sweet gray faced lady sitting at the bottom of the stairs. Managed to have her placed so she was not getting sucked in or pushed off those incredibly steep stairs. This was thanks to some fancy manoeuvring and the quick thinking of someone who hit the emergency stop button. This someone was not me. *Note to self. In case of emergency, lift up glass at the end of the escalator, hit the STOP button.
Suddenly all those old First Aid skills kicked back in. I don’t know where they were hiding, but they were not forgotten. Can you breath? Can you speak. Someone needs to get emergency services. You in the brown sweater. Get emergency services. I was a freakin drill sergeant, but remained calm. Two of us stayed with our victim, rubbed her hands, kept her as calm as possible until help arrived. To the credit of the Mall, it did not take long. We were then unceremoniously dismissed. Gray faced lady perked up a bit, thanked us. I went on my way.
As I strode out to my car, that is when my hands started to shake. What if I hadn’t seen her slumped down on the escalator. What if that had been my Mom? What if that had been me? Why didn’t more people stop to lend a hand? There was no gory blood, no bad guy, just a sweet senior citizen in need of a little help.
I’m proud to be able to say I did the right thing. I’m mortified to admit I did it all in SassyModernMom style. Between tossing my purchases to the side and pulling the sweet little old late from the jaws of death squeaky steps of the escalator to the Mall floor I am pretty sure my low rise pants were flashing a bit of butt crack. Classy.
Today, I am shamed by the number of citizens in this world who walked by and did not offer a hand, and so thankful for the kindness of strangers. Today I am glad I could pay it forward.
Tell me. What do you think you would have done, and why aren’t more people willing to get involved?
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I am so glad people like you exist. My husband is a paramedic, and I’ve seen him in action twice, in public. I am very proud of him!
Thank goodness you stopped! I can’t believe no one else was helping! 🙁
Good job concerned citizen. I actually would like to think I would help…but I guess you never really know. My hubby is a helper…that I know. He was traveling on lonely country roads several winters ago to get to guard drill and came across a car accident. He and his buddy tried to help, called 911, but both driver and passenger died. Sorry to be a downer. But I’m sure people turn a blind eye all the time…..and what if it’s me or my kids or grandma that needs help.
awesome job mama! I would stop to help too! I can’t believe the amount of people that don’t..sigh.
clap clap clap…too many unaware of the people that walk around them each day…glad you were the example…
We are leading parallel lives.
Just yesterday, I slowed my car alongside a man who was pushing his car along the busiest street in my neighborhood. His wife and daughter were in the car.
After a short discussion, I learned that he lived three streets away, had had FOUR hernias, and was planning to push his car home. No one else had stopped before me. SAY WHAT?
We jumped his car (he had cables and just needed another vehicle) and he was on his way.
I don’t get it either.
“It could have been my mom.”
Ack. THat made my heart skip a beat.
I am so glad you were there to help.
“It could have been my mom.”
Ack. THat made my heart skip a beat.
I am so glad you were there to help.
I lost my breath when you said, “That could have been my mom.”
Elevators scare the heck outta me. I am glad you were there to help.
Way to go.
I lost my breath when you said, “That could have been my mom.”
Elevators scare the heck outta me. I am glad you were there to help.
Way to go.
I would have done the exact same thing. Way to go!!! You were her guardian angel. xoxox
You should be proud of yourself for keeping a calm head when all around you ignored the situation. And I wonder what people are thinking as they ignore others in need every day. Kudos to you for stepping up.
People are probably scared of getting sued! And everyone’s always in a hurry for themselves…
Hey well done. You so did the right thing. Sometimes though once a few people are helping with an ‘event’ anymore getting involved would be in the way. Maybe that’s why some walked by or am I being too generous. For GuidingUK we have First Aid First Response training. I would have stopped to help. You need a cup of tea and a biscuit and wear a good citizen smile of pride today x
It is scary how few people help in an emergency situation. A senior fell into the street by a stop sign last year. My husband pulled over to help. Dozen of cars went by before my husband was able to get there. When the police got there, they said it totally did not surprise them.