STILL STANDING
Last Friday we met together (early in the morning) with friends at the Frankton Railway Station in Hamilton. It was the beginning of our ‘Pensioners Big Day Out’ to Auckland. The Train (Te Huia) began its journey in darkness and as dawn broke, landmarks and small towns close to the railway lines became recognisable.
Soon we were in the ‘big smoke’. We enjoyed a walk from The Strand railway platform to the Britomart Train Station, as a member of our group had to sort out some transport card details.
We were also organising ourselves to get on the ferry to Devonport. Our conversations stopped when we realised a man standing nearby was soiling himself. Faeces were running down his bare legs, over his bare feet and making a puddle around him. Now he was standing in the mess. He looked so vulnerable, lost and bewildered. We called a security guard over for assistance and he wandered off to get help. We also called a cleaner over and she said, “leave this to me” in a calm, reassuring voice.
Meanwhile our friend Bronnie had walked over, stood next to him and was offering reassurance by rubbing his shoulder and introducing herself in Māori. “Ko Bronnie ahau. (“I am Bronnie”) Have you got someone to help you? Can I have a karakia (prayer) with you?” No reply. The lack of response didn’t matter. He wasn’t alone and helpless any more.
The lovely cleaner began cleaning up the mess and other security personnel arrived to help him. Time for us to go. Later in the afternoon we spotted the man sitting in the sun outside a local cafe. All cleaned up. Thanks to all concerned. For that moment in time, a difference was made in the man’s life.
POINTS TO PONDER
Compassion and kindness go together. Be the one who helps in some way.
There are many vulnerable people in our communities. Ignoring them won’t make them go away.
Pointless stigma still surrounds aspects of mental health. Help to incrementally break that stigma down by firstly acknowledging that we are ‘in this together’.
Soon we were in the ‘big smoke’. We enjoyed a walk from The Strand railway platform to the Britomart Train Station, as a member of our group had to sort out some transport card details.
We were also organising ourselves to get on the ferry to Devonport. Our conversations stopped when we realised a man standing nearby was soiling himself. Faeces were running down his bare legs, over his bare feet and making a puddle around him. Now he was standing in the mess. He looked so vulnerable, lost and bewildered. We called a security guard over for assistance and he wandered off to get help. We also called a cleaner over and she said, “leave this to me” in a calm, reassuring voice.
Meanwhile our friend Bronnie had walked over, stood next to him and was offering reassurance by rubbing his shoulder and introducing herself in Māori. “Ko Bronnie ahau. (“I am Bronnie”) Have you got someone to help you? Can I have a karakia (prayer) with you?” No reply. The lack of response didn’t matter. He wasn’t alone and helpless any more.
The lovely cleaner began cleaning up the mess and other security personnel arrived to help him. Time for us to go. Later in the afternoon we spotted the man sitting in the sun outside a local cafe. All cleaned up. Thanks to all concerned. For that moment in time, a difference was made in the man’s life.
POINTS TO PONDER
Compassion and kindness go together. Be the one who helps in some way.
There are many vulnerable people in our communities. Ignoring them won’t make them go away.
Pointless stigma still surrounds aspects of mental health. Help to incrementally break that stigma down by firstly acknowledging that we are ‘in this together’.
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