On Saturday night, I watched so many walk past a man in need on George Street. Nobody stopped and asked if he was okay or if he was even breathing. I actually heard one person say “ew” as I was walking up to him. I stayed with him by myself for 15 minutes waiting for the cops/paramedics until ONE GUY stayed with me, talked to him and comforted him while I was on the phone with dispatch. To that one guy: thank you for being a decent human being and staying with me and him. You were the first person to ask if we needed help. Another thanks to the few people who stopped by and asked if we needed anything and didn’t stick around to crowd this man’s space. But to the rest of you who kept on walking past before and after I got there: I hope you’re feeling like the shitty person you are. —Heartbroken
This article appears in Jun 11-17, 2015.
ARE YOU BREATHING?
“Nobody stopped and asked if he was okay or if he was breathing.” Heartbroken
If the answer to the second question is no, then the answer to the first is irrelevant.
A pleasure as always,
Cheerio!
And what is it that you love about Halifax?
What I love about H^lif^x? – The chance to pick up a little extra scrilla on the weekends by rifling the pockets of rubbies and decreps passed out on the sidewalk.
Ya, Gonna say… at least the passers-by didn’t rob the poor sucker.
Kudos to you and the helpful stranger, OP. You guys are aces.
Your act of kindness and compassion is to be commended. I do wish there were more people like you.
But please keep in mind, this scenario could have played out anywhere. And, frankly, a lot of us wouldn’t have had the courage to step in.