I went into town to get some medication from the pharmacy for my kid’s dodgy stomach and I was horrified to see so many uncaring souls watching and walking by an elderly lady having a fit. This elderly lady was in her late 60’s having an epileptic fit and her body was thrashing against a metal rubbish (litter) bin, I had 2 push through these people watching and push her away from the rubbish bin (not one person offered help) I shouted out has anyone phoned a ambulance and not one said yes and some walked away so I phoned an ambulance myself and waited until she stopped having the fit then placed her in the recovery position until the paramedics arrived. I understand people can be frightened but to stand and watch and do nothing makes me furious how can people just do things like this does it not enter peoples heads that this could happen to there own relatives wouldn’t they want someone to phone an ambulance.

If any of you ever witness anything like this please please phone a ambulance (paramedics).

I need a cup of tea, thanks 4 letting me vent.

That's quite disgusting.


The people, I mean.

god, what is wrong with people?

Thats sad.

How very awful. Good thing you were there. Just takes one to help. I've had to do it before...

Heiress said:

ur a good soul. The paramedics said they would phone to tell me if she was ok. It was a bad fit I she is ok .

katt said:

it's a good reason to carry a cell phone, huh?

Two things strike me, one important, and one not so much:

1. The general public is more interested in seeing a spectacle, then in helping someone in need.....totally lacking in compassion.

2. I will be 55 years old this year, and you are calling someone 60 years old 'elderly'...

I'm almost an official old person!

Damn some people. well done Katt for doing the right thing.

I had a similar situation a few years ago when i ended up doing cpr on a guy while everyone else would have watched him die.

Some people

That's sad..

cubic61052 said:

were all getting on a bit but ur still young 2 us

it's weird that nobody in a PHARMACY would respond to this, as i'm sure they deal with lots of extremely sick people on a daily basis. not that a pharmacy should equal an emergency room, but you'd think this would be part of the reality of the job/environment and the staff would be trained to at least call paramedics. very odd.

katt said:

You're a good person. Most people are just afraid to get involved, or expect that someone else will take care of things.

Glad you were there and set an example for the others. Hopefully they will remember about how you acted in the situation, and try to do the same if they're in a similar position in the future.

Anx said:

I had exited the pharmacy and walking 2 the car park I was approx a 5 minute walk away from Boots the Chemist Anx when I noticed what was going on. I am sure if it happened outside boots the staff would have gave help.

.
[Edited 1/10/07 10:08am]

Heiress said:

Definitely. Cell phones are awesome!

if people do not respond to, or read this thread...are they ignoring the elderly too?

Thanks for posting that Katt. Both my husband and I have witnessed things like this in the past, where people have ignored an elderly person in need. I don't understand how people can do that ... good for you for stopping and caring.

BlackAdder7 said:

It does not bother me if people respond, but I hope some may read and then thinks twice about walking away and offers help to others, it could save someone’s life.

This doesn't only happen to elderly ppl....I can remember calling an
ambulance for a guy in his early 30's once....everybody just stood there
watching him having this seizure and didn't do anything...I guess ppl are
just too afraid to get involved....

You, of course, did the right thing katt...

katt said:

I only post whenever I'm having an epileptic fit,
& I get the exact same results.

i don't understand how people could just watch and do nothing i call when i see animals hurt too. back when i was little there was an incident on the southside of chicago well 56th and ashland to be exact where this older woman was forced while screaming into a car in broad daylight and no one helped. last thing i heard was that she was raped. i don't understand people

It's the bystander effect: http://en.wikipedia.org/w...der_effect

the elderly in my neighborhood will not be ignored.

go to my local supermarket when the senior citizen bus pulls in and the sweet little old ladies will make SURE everyone knows when they need help. one of them even smacked my legs with her cane to get me to reach her damn instant coffee for her! they're mean, bless their shrivelly little hearts!

Anx said:

well she need her coffee

brownsugar said:

i think i'll be just like that when i get older

coolcat said:

Interesting article...everyone should read that....again it's
not only the elderly...it affects every single one of us.

Anx said:

Maybe you deserved it somehow....

obsessed said:

Yeah, definitely not just the elderly.

Anx said:

when i'm an old lady the world will TREMBLE before me.

canes, walkers, umbrellas, even dentures - i will wield these things with wild abandon until the world HEARS my voice

XxAxX said:

Damn... people will do anything for their instant coffee.