About 2 weeks ago I (31 year old female) fell and heard a snap in my foot. I was screaming crying with both pain and fear. There was no one to take me to the ER as it was about midnight when this happened. I don’t have insurance so I got a ride share there hobbling along until the staff got me a wheelchair. I sat alone facing a corner crying. I had never broken a bone, been to the ER by myself, and I was panicking about how I was going to pay for this visit.

A woman about my age, maybe slightly older, asked if I was okay. I told her I was just scared but would be fine. She asked if I’d like to sit with her, her husband (who they were there for) and their little baby. Her husband not only wheeled me around to sit with them, but also wheeled me to the vending machine so I could get a bottle of water to help calm down. He got called back but the woman and her son sat with me, telling me their story and comforting me when I felt terrified.

My foot is indeed broken, but my heart felt healed. You never know when someone needs a hug, to talk, or just a distraction. I don’t know if that family will ever see this, but if they do, thank you again. I’ll never forget what a random and effortless act of kindness can do and I hope I can pay it forward.