Have you ever had a stranger step up to the plate while you're recovering?

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LJ-Bain

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Rae you inspired this thread.
My last thread asked about people's worst experiences with people upon recovering but has anyone been pleasantly surprised by a stranger or someone unexpectedly stepping up to the plate and taking care of you?
Perhaps it is better to focus on our positive experiences I am learning.
My favourite experience has been with a boss of mine at work who is always kind but somewhat aloof with me. I didn't know he was so paternal!
The first time he "caught" me having a seizure he gently stepped towards me and softly asked "Sweetie...are you ok?" He had never called me sweetie before.
He then knelt down beside me and monitored my pulse and waited with me until the worst was over. He then asked again if I was ok and waited until I was able to squeeze his hand and breathe normally. He then patted my shoulder (I think) and kept on checking up on me until I could talk and move again.
 
Aw! I have never really had any public seizures without someone there that I know. I had one at my old work and the customer who was there at the time shoved a pen in my mouth.

Ive also been caught post-ictal in public and had people ask if I was ok. I had an autistic boy at my bus stop and a long time before this day we talked about my seizures and that I do funny things with them. That day I had a seizure in the morning, but went to work anyway. he poked me and asked if I was okay after my seizure. I asked how he knew and he pointed to my shirt that it was inside out and backwards and said I told him I do funny things.
 
Hi Rae!
Thanks for sharing. I LOVE that story about the perceptive little boy with autism. People pay attention and remember us even when we don't realize! I'm glad to hear that sometimes people have been caring to you too! I always find it amazing how a single life can impact another.

Ouch about the pen in the mouth. Really. Seriously...how did that ever get around that would help? Bite the pen instead of our tongues? I hope it wasn't the ink side!
 
LOL. I think that came about from the fear of being able to swallow your tongue, then choke on it and die.
 
One of the times I had a TC seizure was while out walking in a public park by myself. When I was regaining consciousness, a few people had gathered around me and I recall hearing a man saying something about calling 911. And then another woman responded with, "no, she's coming out of it, I think she will be ok." Of course, I couldn't speak or move yet, but I could hear and understand what was being said. And this lady watched me and knew when I was ready to get up. She then went and drove her van over so I wouldn't have to walk to the other side of the park, while the others were still keeping an eye on me, and then helped me up and we got into her van. She drove me to my home. I still couldn't speak, so I gave her directions by pointing. She helped me into my home and told my husband what had happened.

About a week later, we were at a local store and I saw a woman that looked very familiar. I wasn't sure it was the same lady that helped me that day because my memory was so blurred, but I kinda thought it was, so I went and spoke to her anyway. She did remember me and asked how I was doing and if everything was okay with me now. After that incident, we became friends and she gave me rides at times. She later told me she knew what to do when someone has a seizure because growing up her best friend had seizures. Now that is awesome. I wish those kind of people would step up to the plate every day. Wouldn't that make life much easier in this life of hell?!
 
It's nice to hear there are good samaritans out there. For me, I've either been alone or with friends and family when seizing. But it's been pretty special to me how they've taken care of me when I needed it (and even when I thought I didn't).
 
Well this isn't exactly during recovery but it greatly shows how strangers can be amazing in a time of crisis.
I was just coming up on five years T-C free when one day it decided that was enough hope for me. I was driving, had a simple partial and though I was in complete control it just kept nagging. The last thing I remember was cresting the hill, then came to in a ditch surrounded by strangers and police. The guy taking care of me (blankets, etc.) happened to have first aid (how lucky) so he knew exactly what to do. So thankful.
However, the one who I'll never ever forget is the guy driving behind me when I slumped over. I phoned him the next day after getting his name from the police report and asked what happened. He said he seen me slump into the passenger seat and didn't know what was going on but knew I was out (figured a heart attack). At the crest of the hill my car went into oncoming traffic and stayed perfectly in that lane for a considerable stretch (even around a slight corner!?!?). He followed me until I rolled into a ditch on the other side, then came and held my head stable while I seized. Stayed like that until the next person (first aider) came and called emergency, etc.
He said he'd never seen a seizure before and admitted he was actually quite scared but as my seat belt was still somewhat holding my body up he wanted to keep my head from bouncing around, he figured that was the only thing he could do to help.
Ralph, I will never forget him. He was my silver lining in the whole mess; thank christ for people like that they're the best.
 
qtowngirl- He sounds super nice

My friend had a seizure while driving. She just hit two years seizure free the day before this happened. She was a block away from home, and started seizing. Her foot slammed the accelorator to the floor. She rear ended the fire chief so hard she totalled her car, and the guy behind her rear ended her. The fire marshall said the guy who rear ended her was so mad he was kicking her car, not caring that it was a medical condition that caused it.
 
Mad? Kicking her car? That's appalling. Too bad there wasn't some way of charging him for that. Trying to cause damage to a vehicle at an accident scene? What a loser!

Poor girl, and just the day after two years?! Next time you see her give her a good hug for me; I got really lucky with mine and it's so unfortunate she, or anyone, should ever have to deal with people like that.
 
She luckily didnt have to. The fire marshal got super mad at the guy and told him to calm down. The marshal was so nice to her though. Even asked if she wanted anything from her place before the ambulance came. He went and got her PJ bottoms
 
Went to her place and got her pj bottoms? WOW.
That almost sounds like a scene from a movie... the way two people meet in a time of crisis and one takes care of the other and they end up falling in love.
And he freaked out and got the guy to back off? And he's a fire 'marshall'?
Hmmmm, was he single? Gorgeous?? Lol really sounds too charming of a guy to not be followed up on.
 
No our fire marshall here is almost at retirement age. So I think it had alot to do with they were so close to her house already and that he has been in the job long enough to know who needs a little extra TLC. lol
 
Oh well I guess that wouldn't work!!
Still, not everyone offers to go anywhere or do anything. Sounds like a wonderful man and obviously the right guy for said career.
 
Cint: What a crazy way to meet a wonderful person. She really looked out for you when she didn't have to! That is a true good samaritan. I think it's amazing that you guys became friends and how lucky you were to have her there that day. Love it.

qtowngirl: I like how you remember his name. I also like that his name was Ralph. Normal people can be heroes. It sounds like you got really lucky that day...what a scary experience not to be repeated. Driving and seizures just do not mix. Stories like that make me glad that I don't have a license.

Nakamova: I'm glad that you haven't had to experience a public seizure. Although when you have them alone it's not the most ideal but it happens. I know what you mean when you say "even when I thought I didn't" need help. When I have my simple partials standing up I prefer not to be touched because the part of my brain that is aware is concentrating so hard on staying upright that it's distracting when people touch me. But when it's done that is when I slump to the floor and may hurt myself because I'm so exhausted from the effort. I can be a stubborn mule! But people do help and I always do end up saying thanks. Because really, even a little help goes a long way. Little gestures. Small kindnesses.
 
Actually, many of my seizures were public ones, I was just lucky enough to have friends along when they occurred. I've had one at the beach, another at a wine-tasting, two at the office, one when I was at the parade cheering the Red Sox World Series win...
 
Ah! I see! Friends do come in handy, don't they?
Quite the bummer about the wine tasting. That's a quick way to end an enjoyable evening.
The beach and parade certainly count as public locations! My goodness! But now I know you're a baseball fan! The beach doesn't sound like a pleasant place either...the sand must have been pretty irritating.
 
I know what you mean when you say "even when I thought I didn't" need help. When I have my simple partials standing up I prefer not to be touched because the part of my brain that is aware is concentrating so hard on staying upright that it's distracting when people touch me.
I am so with you LJ! Can't stand being touched during a simple (whether standing or not), it's like 'just leave me be to get through it myself and then you can hug me after.'
Must be hard for my bf to just have to sit there and stare, waiting, but it's just the way it has to be.
 
Not really a seizure-story but like many of you, I couldn't drive for a long time. I work construction and was taking the subway to a job with full kit. I had about 90 lbs of tools on my back plus a bag in my right hand with about 35 lb of gear and my laptop in a case in my left. I was coming to the top of the escalator at the bus platform and I didn't know it, but the sole of my right boot had started to delaminate. The lip it created on my boot caught a screw in the service plate at the top of the escalator and I pitched forward. With the kit on my back, I had no chance. I cleared the metal plate but went head first into the concrete platform. I hit the platform hard enough to break my hard hat and I was knocked out cold.

The guy who helped me called 911 for me, and the paramedics showed up. At the time I wore a medic alert bracelet, and as soon as they saw it, they assumed I had a seizure. I remember waking up and the guy (he was Jamaican so imagine the accept) telling the paramedics "No mon, I'm telling you tripped. Mon, he dinnt have a fit. You gonna listen to me mon or what?". Because he stuck around and told them, the clock wasn't reset for getting my license back. I was also safe while I was out (maybe 5 minutes) because he was there. His name is Mike, we still chat and go out for a pint from time to time.

Jay
 
Hurray for Mike! He really did step up to the plate for you and especially by sticking around when he didn't have to. I know how long it takes to regain your license in Ontario and my clock was recently reset in April after 6 months (grrrrr....) but oh well. I wouldn't want to be behind the wheel just yet anyways.
I love the Jamaican accent description...I can really imagine the scenario.
What a tumble. That truly must have hurt. You were carrying a small person on your back! You hardly had a chance! I hope it didn't happen at a busy stop.
Good thing you were wearing a hard hat! I guess you had to get new boots AND a new hard hat shortly thereafter.
It's great that you and Mike still keep in touch too. People's true colours show when a crisis pops up.
 
Hi my girl was out with her boyfriend , when he was walkimg her home . Before they got there she had a seziure. Her boyfriend by her side ,when a man and women came across them . They stayed with them only concerened at first . His first thought was what the hell have you done to her , when we got the phone call we rushed over to where they where . After explaining that she had epilepsy he was mortified couldnt apologies enough . But i was thankfull that they stayed until they made sure that she was in no danger.
 
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