An older man had -it appeared- fallen and was laid on the path beside the road. My friend and I were on out way to get coffee and passed by him.
We asked the man if he was okay and when he said yes, & that he was sure, we were about to proceed on our way. But it didn't sit right with us, so we hesitated. No-one lays on the path beside a busy road in the traffic fumes if all is well.
Another group of people also stopped to ask the man if he was alright, and if he wanted a tea or a water. He declined their help. We all hung on for a few minutes, encouraging him to accept help to sit up, at least, because he looked really uncomfortable. He said he wanted to sit up by himself, though.
The other group noted the man had a gash on one of his cheekbones. He wasn't very coherent when asked what had happened, and his speech was indistinct so it was difficult to communicate effectively, but he seemed to say he didn't want an ambulance summoned.
The other group went on their way, but my friend and I hesitated, because it occurred to us how vulnerable the man was. He had retrieved his mobile phone (an old model, not worth anything, but still...) from his pocket and had it in his hand. The area is not an awesome one in terms of rates of violent crime. And you hear stories about people perpetrating violence on the vulnerable, such as houseless people.
What struck me was that -while my friend and the other group of folk stood pondering what to do for the man- numerous other people commented to us as they passed by. They said: "he's often around" (presumably implying that he's unemployed) and they also said: "he drinks" or "he uses". Their tone of voice was disparaging.
Why did these points of 'information' (whether true or not) mean that this man wasn't worthy of having emergency aid summoned for him? Even if he was under the influence of something and had fallen because of it, did that mean he shouldn't get checked over by a paramedic for a concussion?
Would it have been okay if he did have a concussion perceived as 'self-inflicted' and we all left him there to deteriorate, or for someone else to steal whatever cash he might've had?
Alternatively, isn't it possible that someone had hit him in the face sometime prior to our arrival?
So, my friend and I called an ambulance anyway, and then went to get our coffee at the nearest place so we could see when the crew arrived.
Meantime, the man had actually got himself into a sitting position, put his cap back on his head and then managed to get to his feet. He lit a cigarette, and slowly made his way up the road.
As he passed we asked if he was feeling better and he said (still somewhat indistinctly) that he's diabetic, and he was on his way home now. We asked if he thought he'd be okay and when he confirmed, we called to get the ambulance stood down.
Maybe he was only claiming to be diabetic to cover for a substance abuse issue. Or maybe it's both things. But it really doesn't matter, you still just don't leave someone who's clearly injured themselves on the street without assistance. Whether they're unemployed or not. Whether they're houseless or not.
I'm not perfect, and I do admit to a bit of trepidation when approaching someone in that sort of position. Because you're never quite sure if someone has mental health issues, and -if they do- whether they could be volatile. It would've been different if it was dark and unpopulated -- it would've been necessary to prioritise our own safety more heavily if that were the case, but this was broad daylight with plenty of folk around & businesses open.
I myself am not the tidiest looking person, I've hair like a bird nest and my old worn-out hippy clothes have been around the block a long time in some cases. If I fall down and hit my head, I'd like to think someone wouldn't be too scared of my appearance to offer help, or at least make a phone call to summon it.
Someone said to me in a virtual conversation (paraphrased): I like to protect the weak, because sometimes that's me.
Just something to think about.
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