Did I do the right thing?

JDNewbie · Feb 19, 2014

I was delivering something to a professor at our local college today, and I saw an elderly man who looked like he was having a tough time of it today. I greeted him, and asked how he was doing, to which he replied he was tired. I offered to help carry his bag, but he would have none of it. I politely told him to have a good day and went on my way.

On the way back out, he was sitting on the sidewalk. I watched him get up and asked him again if he was OK. This time I was closer to him and it looked like he had maybe vomited a little on his shirt, and some of it was still in his mouth. He said he was fine. I asked him if he knew where he was going. He said he was going to turn in some papers. I asked if he minded if I walk with him to class, to which he said, "of course I mind, but you do what you want."

I didn't follow him to class, but I did stop at the main office and let them know about him. Apparently he is on campus quite frequently.

So, was I disrespectful? I sure didn't mean to be. I didn't want to bother him, but I didn't want to be someone who didn't help someone in need. Regardless, I'm glad I stopped to check on him.

Mark - IN. · Feb 19, 2014

"I didn't want to bother him, but I didn't want to be someone who didn't help someone in need. Regardless, I'm glad I stopped to check on him"

Under the circumstances, you probably did the best thing. Extreme weather, guy appeared to have vomit on him, may have been disoriented. One day could be you or me or someone that we know. He will get over it.

Mark

JMOR · Feb 19, 2014

(quoted from post at 16:32:23 02/19/14) I was delivering something to a professor at our local college today, and I saw an elderly man who looked like he was having a tough time of it today. I greeted him, and asked how he was doing, to which he replied he was tired. I offered to help carry his bag, but he would have none of it. I politely told him to have a good day and went on my way.

On the way back out, he was sitting on the sidewalk. I watched him get up and asked him again if he was OK. This time I was closer to him and it looked like he had maybe vomited a little on his shirt, and some of it was still in his mouth. He said he was fine. I asked him if he knew where he was going. He said he was going to turn in some papers. I asked if he minded if I walk with him to class, to which he said, "of course I mind, but you do what you want."

I didn't follow him to class, but I did stop at the main office and let them know about him. Apparently he is on campus quite frequently.

So, was I disrespectful? I sure didn't mean to be. I didn't want to bother him, but I didn't want to be someone who didn't help someone in need. Regardless, I'm glad I stopped to check on him.

hen you feel like crap, everything hurts, don't work right, etc., it is hard to be nice & polite. Just the way life is, but you did good.

Moondoggie · Feb 19, 2014

The best you can do is to ask. If your offer is turned down, but the person looks like he can manage on his own, let him be. Advising the office was a smart bonus!

RLA · Feb 19, 2014

I believe you may have done more than a lot of
or people might have.

A few weeks ago while delivering some Ford parts
on lunch hour, I seen a man fall on the ice who
appeared to be disabled. (We) Stopped & turned
around then drove up a side street to where he
was still struggling to get to his Feet.

I asked if he was hurt & needed help? I then
noticed he was mentally challenged too. As I
reached to help a Voice from a near bye house
hollerd out & SAID!! YOU LEAVE THAT MAN ALONE
Or I WILL CALL THE POLICE!!!!!

Anwser"d Back & Said I was Sorry I thought he
needed help.....

JRSutton · Feb 19, 2014

Where do you think that guy would rather live - in a world full of people he always has to decline help from, or one where nobody ever offers.

MarkWV · Feb 19, 2014

would have done the same, try to help, if refused and looks worrisome tell authorities

Hay hay hay · Feb 19, 2014

You did the right thing. Wish more people cared as much.

flembo · Feb 19, 2014

you did great. I just saw video on the news a young boy was seen sitting on a bench beside the road with no gacket and was shivering. Several people gave him mittens and a sweater or something and one young man gave him the coat off his back. So some people still care.

ErnieD · Feb 19, 2014

You do what you can. How would you feel if you heard it on the news that night??

I woke a gal up at 6am asleep in her in front of a bank ATM. She was mad. ??!!

I stopped in the Utah desert to make sure a guy had water changing a tire on his truck.

I called 911 to halt work on a road job, guy with a chain saw was standing in a fully extended payloader bucket trimming trees. The road boss did not see the problem with it.

I would do it all again. You see next of kin notification is with you forever.

jerrybigrig · Feb 19, 2014

Thank you for doing what you did...

Anonymous-0 · Feb 20, 2014

First off-You are a gentleman, I have had many experiences of the same nature in my neck of the woods and you have to ask yourself How does a person approach a situation like this? Most people will try to help by talking to the person-Maybe by helping a person to their destination and making sure they are safe- But what I think it takes is Heart- I have had people damn me to hell for helping them up a flight of stairs or cussing me out for making sure there is nothing in the way of their wheel chair and none of this has ever bothered me because they are proud folks and they don't want any pity -I have also run into the exact opposite reaction -they are grateful and thankful for your help. I had a brother with DS and he could go either way depending on how he was feeling on any particular day-But at the end of that same day he was always happy I was there for him and he was always there for me. If I have learned anything it is-Never judge someone until you can walk their side of the furrow I wish more people could have your compassion- maybe the world would be a better place. T Whalen.

mick in il. · Feb 20, 2014

AWSOME JOB! Thank You for being a good person.

NNP · Feb 20, 2014

you did good

helping old people, talk quietly, move slowly, don't get too close when you ask.
Most of us are big and scary looking, and they frighten easily.
offer help and go by what they say.
Some, don't want help period. just the way it is.
I know I won't in the future.

Telling a worker inside a business is good. I see them helping older folks all the time.(their uniforms and name tags seem to ease their fears)
I personally would never call authorities if it wasn't an emergency situation. Some people might be doing their best to stay out of a nursing home. And in todays 'we know best' world, you might do more harm than good then.

Dan T in MO · Feb 20, 2014

Hmmmmm..... Feeling tired and nausea. He could have been having a heart attack.

Dad had his first H-A back in the late 80s. I came home for Spring break and met him at a nearby fishin' hotspot (Bennett Springs). He said he'd been having bad arthritis in his shoulder and feeling tired all day.

After the triple bypass and recovery, he told us the only real pain he felt was when he sat down to rest. A couple of teenagers passing by said, "I think that old man is having trouble."

When I read your post, my reaction was, he's prob'ly having a heart attack and is in denial about growing old.

JDNewbie · Feb 21, 2014

Thanks for the replies. To one degree or another, a failing body is inevitable with age, but the accompanying loss of dignity must certainly be equally difficult to bear. I just hope he understands I wasn't intending to take any of that from him.

Did I do the right thing?

JDNewbie

Member

Mark - IN.

Well-known Member

JMOR

Well-known Member

Moondoggie

Member

RLA

Well-known Member

JRSutton

Well-known Member

MarkWV

Member

Hay hay hay

Well-known Member

flembo

Well-known Member

ErnieD

Member

jerrybigrig

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

mick in il.

Member

NNP

Member

Dan T in MO

Member

JDNewbie

Member

Similar threads