A reminder to care for each other when we need it most from Scott Sonnon.
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An elderly man walked by me at the bank while I filled out my deposit slip. Not seeing the perfectly cleaned glass, he slammed into the window. Careening on his heels, moaning in pain and shock, he pitched backward like a plank.
Dropping my wallet, phone and checks, I dove toward him. Knowing I wouldn’t get there in time to catch his body from falling, I aimed my hands at pillowing the impact of the back of his head with the concrete floor.
His head landed in my hands, and fortunately the stiffness of his body caused it to be the first to hit the ground, rather than his hands or hips. He was okay but stunned. Looking up at me, he said, “You guys are really stationed strategically at this bank.” I laughed out of relief for his lack of injury.
A few bank employees swarmed and reached to pull the man off the ground. Holding my finger for them to wait, I asked the elderly gentleman to just hang out for a few moments… checking in to see if he had any sharp pains, numbness, pins and needles, nausea, headache, clear vision, if he knew which bank we were at, etc. The old man said, “Thank the Good Lord this bank has paramedics ready to help old folks like me.”
One bank manager interrupted again saying that for liability reasons, he needed him to move out of the way of other guests. I replied, “The gentleman needs to rest here a moment with me, but please grab my wallet, phone and checks that I dropped over there.” He did.
Checking back in with the man, I asked him how he was feeling. He said that he wanted to try and sit up. So, I gave him a little technique to roll over on to his forearm and press up to the side. Taking a moment to see if he was dizzy, I asked him if I could help him take a chair before standing. He nodded with a smile, so I scooped him up and helped him gently down.
The manager returned with my things, plus paperwork. He asked me to fill out his incident report, and asked the elderly man to sign a release of liability. Laughing out loud, I replied, “Thanks for my things. No, I won’t fill out your paperwork, but a paramedic will.”
Turning to the gentleman who had fallen I suggested that he not sign any paperwork. The older man suddenly realized that I didn’t work for the bank.
The employee said, “Well, both of you need to move out of the way of everyone else.” There was a little bite in my retort, “No, thanks, but you can help everyone else move out of our way until the gentleman is ready to leave.”
I stayed with the man to make sure he was fine, which he was. He said to me, “The Good Lord has been looking out for me. I’ve had some really big falls, but I’ve not been injured from any of them. And He sent me you today.”
Smiling, I said, “Sir, I’m just grateful you let me help.” I picked up his “Retired US Army” hat and handed it back to him, as we walked out together.
I don’t share the story to point out anything special about my responses. I’m nothing special, just a dyslexic kid from a steel-working mom in rural PA.
But when people try and railroad hurt, innocent people because they’re worried about how it will adversely impact them, I get my ire up. I share the story because, sometimes, no matter how many squabble about what you’re doing when you know it’s the right thing to do, you have to stand your ground.
When they tell you to move, I have no problem saying, “No. You move.”
Very respectfully,
Scott Sonnon
Originally posted at Facebook.com/ScottSonnon
Photo:Flickr/Pedro Ribeiro Simões
Great job Scott. I appreciate the focus of your article but I wish you wouldn’t minimize your deeds. Your act represents that of countless men in our society. And the gentleman was right, “Thank the Good Lord this bank ….. ” In any event, thank the good Lord that you were there.