June 17, 2005

Helping A Neighbor

I thought I would share a personal story that had a happy ending - it personally touched me and wanted to share.

Last Saturday, I was leaving our house around lunchtime.  I had my small children with me and we were going to go get some lunch and visit my dad.  As I was locking up the house, there was a rather loud crash.  Once I saw that nothing had harmed the kids, my eyes locked on a red car that had plowed into the electrical pole outside our home.

I ran to the car, and a woman I would later know to be named Carol was extremely shaken up, but there was no blood.  She had been wearing her seat belt, thank God.  It took me a good minute to get her to focus on me so I could ensure she was okay and didn't have any life threatening injuries.  We found her glasses - miraculously not broken - and I got her to put it in 'park' and turn off the car.  We then called 911.

Carol's immediate response to me was that she was okay, but slightly shaken up, so we didn't initially ask for an ambulance.  She did, however, seek out her cigarettes.  Can't say that I blame her - the car was a mess.  She was driving a compact car, and it was even more compact following its encounter with the pole.  This lady had been through so much.  She recently moved here following what sounds to be a bad divorce situation.  She had an open heart surgery scar.  She said she was diabetic.  I was pretty certain she may have blacked out or fainted because she doesn't remember how she hit the pole.  She worried that her ex-husband paid for the insurance on the car.  I kept thinking that I had no reason to think my day was going bad at all as I heard her story unfold.  A neighbor walking his dog stopped and kept the kids busy while we waited for the police.  I also called Carol's sister on my cellphone, who arrived at the scene fairly quickly (actually before the police).

Once her sister had arrived, and once the police arrived, it was clear that the adrenaline was wearing off.  Carol sat down and the police were worried enough that they called a rescue squad. 

I have to say that prior to the police arriving on the scene - other than the neighbor walking his dog - we only had one person slow down and ask if we needed any help.  Everyone else just drove by and rubber-necked.  In the back of my mind I was incredulous.  I thought it was natural to want to help people who needed it but it seemed as though no one had the time or the desire to want to help.  Perhaps I was overreacting at this point?

Once the ambulance and fire truck arrived at the scene, everything became a melee.  The street was now blocked off, so everyone had to take detours to get to their destinations.  I guess the siren prompted all of the people in the neighborhood to flock the scene.  There had to be 20 people who ran to our block.  Out of all of these people, one woman approached and offered assistance - she was a trauma nurse.  I thanked her, but by that time the EMTs were assisting Carol.

I double-checked with the police officer to see if he needed me for anything further and he said he had all the information he needed.  I was worried my kids were starving by this time and thought I should dismiss myself and get them to the restaurant.  Then I realized they had loaded Carol onto a stretcher and were taking her to the hospital.  I asked Carol's sister if everything was okay and she said they were concerned about her with all of her health conditions and she was going to ride to the hospital with her.  She took the time to tell me she really appreciated me helping her sister and that she was certain that I helped Carol get through a tough situation.  I replied that I was happy to help and also hoped that had I been in the same situation someone would have helped me.

So the ambulance took off and I loaded the kids in the truck and off we went.  My mind processed the whole situation and after a call to my husband to share what happened, I started to worry about Carol.  I hoped with all my heart that she was okay.

The week progressed and work and all things work and summer filled the hours of each day.  Last night, when things calmed down I realized we had a voice mail.  It was Carol!  She shared that she had searched out my phone number and wanted to call to thank me for helping her.  She had spent four days in ICU with severe headaches and dizziness, but was now home and okay.  She said she really appreciated me helping her and said she didn't know what she would have done if I hadn't have been there.  She actually wanted to bring me some flowers to thank me!  I called her back and left her a message, letting her know that flowers weren't necessary and that I was thrilled to know that she was okay.

I was truly touched that she went out of her way to find my phone number and give me a call - something truly unnecessary, but greatly appreciated.  Would I help someone again?  Absolutely.  I can't imagine not helping someone in need.  I'm just happy that I was there and could help.  And happy that she's okay.