To stalk a stranger in A&E

[TheRozzers]

Witnessed a nasty accident today. An elderly lady had a fall in the street and was bleeding badly. I was coming back from the gym and had a towel with me so used it to help stem the bleeding and stayed with her until the paramedics arrived. Others helped too.

We were talking to her and trying to reassure her as she was very distressed and in a lot of pain. I'm pretty sure she's broken a bone.

I asked if there was anyone we could call. Partner, children, friends. She said she had nobody.

I can't stop wondering how she is, she's probably in the hospital A&E corridor and will be for the next week knowing the state of the NHS.

I have tried to call the hospital to enquire after her but no answer.

Would it be really weird and stalker like to go to the hospital and check up on her? Maybe take her something to eat and drink? I know her full name and date of birth so assume I could track her down?

Or would that be an invasion of her privacy?

It's also quite late now.

Have just read further through the thread and realised you have somehow managed to get to her luckily. Well done OP x

If there are people dealing with already, walking pass is the right thing to do. I am complaining about those who walked past him before I did.

I also had another situation trying to stop someone jumping from a bridge, there were a lot of other people also walking their dogs at the same time and everyone who I asked to call the police/ambulance while I dealt with the guy said they had no time or didn’t want to get involved. It was just a simple phone call but no, no takers.

There were quite a few people who rushed to help Pauline including an off duty police woman who was brilliant. I stopped because I had the towel and was focussing on that injury.

Pauline doesn't remember me being there. She said she was in shock and it was all a blur.

Some workers from a local shop came out with a big umbrella and held that over to shade her and another woman held her jacket up behind her when she was being examined for her dignity. She doesn't remember that either and found it very funny when I told her.

I'm sure the other people who helped Pauline would like to know how she is (they all seemed very upset when she said she had nobody) and Pauline would like to thank them too but we have no way of knowing who they are.

I also had another situation trying to stop someone jumping from a bridge, there were a lot of other people also walking their dogs at the same time and everyone who I asked to call the police/ambulance while I dealt with the guy said they had no time or didn’t want to get involved. It was just a simple phone call but no, no takers.

FFS what is wrong with people?! That's really sad.

The whole thread is a bit gushy for me (sorry @TheRozzers as you did the right thing and genuinely sound very lovely, I'm just a terrible giant grump atm )

I just wanted to say as an epileptic, if anyone stops to help and waits for an ambulance, please do give your details to the first aiders if it's a shop etc or paramedics (sometimes paramedics will ask if you can do this anyway for "witness" reasons especially if it's a serious injury - maybe they anticipate an inquest?) and specifically say you're happy for the patient to have them if needed. Or if it happens in a shop etc, please do leave your details and say you're happy for them to be passed on.

I have so many kind strangers I would love to thank, especially a woman in a restaurant where I dropped my purse whilst paying. When I looked in my bag later she had obviously scooped up every single card (not just bank/credit but all the loyalty cards! from under tables and put them in my bag - this was an area where normally someone will nick your bag if you're lying unconscious. When I rang the restaurant they said they had her details but couldn't give them to me. I understand why and asked if they'd ring her to pass on my thanks, but I don't know if they ever did.

I can be aggressive when I come round and frequently tell people to fuck off etc or worse apparently. The seizures themselves can also be terrifying to witness and people don't know what to do, so I actually understand people who don't stop.

what a lovely thread! restores my faith in human nature and in "the system"

You sound like a truly lovely person. Keep us informed!

You can usually send messages of thanks to ambulance workers via the website if you give the area and approx time of incident the message is passed on. I sent a message of thanks then unfortunately had another incident where I had to call an ambulance and it was the same person! She said the message also helped their record of something at work.
Reading your updates is so uplifting. I nominated this thread for Classics a few days ago. I think this thread should be treasured. Thank you for all the updates. 😊

OP, you are a beautiful human and your kindness means the world to Pauline

Please send her MN love ❤️❤️

I got a text from Pauline today saying she enjoyed watching the football in the hospital lounge last night and she will be moving to a rehab facility very soon.

The rehab facility is quite a bit further from me than the hospital (20 minute drive rather than 10 minute walk) and it's going to be too difficult to get there this week but I will try and pop in and see her next week if she's still there.

Really well done OP
We need more of this kindness in the world.
I firmly believe if you do good,it comes back to you
So this old lady probably did good, and you will also receive blessings in your life.

I think Age Concern do a befriending service, could try contacting them.

I’m so glad she’s nearly well enough for Rehab even if you can’t visit so often. Maybe write? And I’m sure calls will be good too :)

I just want to add my voice to those of the people telling you how wonderful what you're doing is, OP. You've been so incredibly kind. I'm sure that if your mum is watching she will be beyond proud of you ❤️

Aw thank you. It's honestly no bother at all, I really like Pauline.

She called me today to tell me she's at the rehab facility now and has managed to get some stuff from home so at least has familiar things around her.

It's her 80th birthday coming up and I still don't know her that well. Any ideas what i can get her? I know what music she likes so thought about taking her to a concert but that might be a bit much so soon after the accident.

You could always give her an IOU for a show at a local theatre when she’s well enough? That way you can choose something together

I do think this is so lovely. I work with the elderly and it’s horrible how so many literally have no one

A cd may be nice assuming that she has a cd player. Very thoughtful a you ❤️

This thread has had me sat up in bed with tears rolling down my face. What a lovely happy ending ♥️

It's so lovely, isn't it. Pauline now has a friend in TheRozzers, and no longer has to say there's no-one.

It's probably been mentioned a hundred times but you should read Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

For her birthday

A lovely cake, Some 80 balloons, A lovely card and some small presents wrapped up, like chocolate, biscuits, Maybe a tea cup with 80 on, or a coaster for the coffee table

Sure she will love it

I wouldnt book a concert personally but how about a Afternoon Tea type outing on her actual birthday if you can

Birthday tea with your family maybe? Home made cake, entertainment from the kids, a board game or film afterwards. At that age, being with someone is a greater gift than material things - as your posts have shown perfectly!

I like the afternoon tea idea. Some bakeries do take away ones if ‘Pauline’ is limited with mobility in her recovery. I thought about flowers or a plant in a nice pot. What about pottery pairing? It would be lovely for her to have a mug which reminds her of time spent together.
I still love this thread!

I like the afternoon tea idea too. Everyone likes an afternoon tea don't they?

Thank you, I will do that and definitely some 80 balloons.

Her birthday is in the school holidays when we have family staying so I will ask Pauline if she would like to do something with us that day or have us visit her. She may not want to spend her 80th with lots of kids!

I think that is eaxactly what she would want. A family gathering even if it's one who has happily (not the circumstances obvs) happened upon her x