Crazy Experience

[lordtariel]

I've been thinking about this a bit and kind of want to just get it out. This last weekend I was driving back home from the store and I thought I noticed a guy sprawled out on the side of the road as I drove through an intersection. I went a little ways trying to figure out if I really saw someone or not and was certain enough to warrant turning around checking. I wouldn't have lived it down if it had been someone in trouble and I just drove off. I got back and sure enough, there was an older, probably homeless guy on sprawled out on his stomach halfway up an embankment.

I shook him and he didn't respond, I shook fairly hard a second time, then a third and still didn't get a response. I could tell he was breathing so I sprinted up the embankment and through the parking lot to the restaurant to call 911. The guys at the restaurant didn't know their address and wanted me to call it in. I didn't feel like I had time to argue, I just grabbed the phone and ran back to the guy, dialing as I went. I got back and he still wasn't responding till I checked to make sure he hadn't hit his head had some other injury when he started groaning that he was just trying to sleep. I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

The woman on the phone confirmed that the police had already been there once to talk to him and couldn't do anything about it because the people at the restaurant said they didn't mind him there. So, crisis avoided, I gave the phone back to the guy from the restaurant, got back in my car and went home.

I got to thinking on the way home. This guy had been laying there for some time. I was the one of two people to stop, and nobody else stopped when I was checking on him. My girlfriend was afraid for my safety when I said I was going to check. I was a little ashamed to find I was slightly apprehensive as well when I went up to the guy until I didn't get a response from him. Then it kind of faded and I was too busy doing things to think about it. I didn't get any help from the people from the restaurant one, only one person came out a bit later, nor did they tell me the police were already out there once for him.

It's kind of sad and scary to think that most people won't stop to help someone in need. I don't know if I would have had the courage to check on my own if it weren't for my training. What makes me ashamed was that in my mind I was thinking this could be some meth-head that could try anything if I go up to him, just based on how he looked. I always thought I was pretty open-minded. Anyway, I just wanted a place to vent this.

[Maddwraph]

hey, its tough, the world can be a very cruel and strange place. but you checked, and you did what was right. we just have to hope for more people like you that help.

[cathal]

It is scary to think that as well it might have been appearances. You mentioned it was most likely a homeless man. I bet if it was a well (or better) dressed man things would have gone very different earlier.

[Shotokan-kez]

Hey at least you had the guts to check, i think you showed compassion and courage - well done you!!

[bushido_man96]

You did something I am not sure I would have done. You don't know what kind of people are out there. I don't like to stereotype, but I do like to keep myself safe. Personally, I don't carry weapons of any kind on me, except for a kubotan as a key chain, and that is just when I go to work.

Trying to stay safe in the world today causes us to second guess our judgement in certain situations.

[KarateK]

Its so hard not to discriminate at times though - you did more than most people would.

[Brandon Fisher]

Its a tough situation, you know what the right thing is but its dangerous to do the right thing anymore. Very sad to say that thats the major issue with helping someone anymore.

[younwhadoug]

we are martial artists and have to step up when no one will. we have training principals that we must live by. when i read your story it makes me proud to be a martial artist. next time, don't think twice. know that you will help in any way you presently can. i admire your actions

[ShotokanKid]

Hey at least you had the guts to check, i think you showed compassion and courage - well done you!!

Ditto.

Good job on doing the right thing.

[RichardHangHong]

It's good that you went to check on the guy though. Forget that you felt apprehensive, the important thing is that in spite of that feeling, you made sure the guy was alright. Most people just turn a blind eye to that sort of thing and pretend it never happened.

Society today is losing its moral fibre so we need more people like you to keep it together.