Caring Couples To The Rescue
Wednesday - October 12, 2005
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Del.icio.usDear Pamela,
I sometimes read your articles in MidWeek, but I always thought those Good Samaritan deeds really only happen occasionally. I’m always the pessimist, but one evening my wheelchair scooter battery died on me right next to the Hawaii Kai post office. I don’t have a cell phone and it was dark, even with the street lights on. I was 300 yards from home, but for me and my disability it might just have been 300 miles. I tried to push my scooter with no significant gain, and normally I would get angry with myself for getting into this predicament. But, lo and behold, this couple saw me as they were driving home to Mariners Ridge and they went out of their way to help me push my scooter home. They even offered to push this 200 pound scooter with me on it. If it wasn’t for Heather’s keen eyesight and Cecil’s muscle, I probably wouldn’t have gotten home until the next morning, and would be in terrible physical pain. I always thought I was tough, but just writing this letter brings me to tears just thinking how kind and generous this young couple was to me. They will always be in my heart and prayers.
Michael Ching
Hawaii Kai
Dear Michael,
Patricia Lockwood, executive director of Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, found herself in the same situation. “My scooter went dead near Dole Cannery. No one sought to help me. I think most people have no idea what to do. I ended up pushing my scooter to the office and hurting myself. We always appreciate it when people stop and ask if we’re stranded. Sometimes all I need is an electrical outlet so I can plug in my charger.”
Patricia also asks all drivers to be on the lookout for wheel-chairs when they make turns into crosswalks.
Dear Pamela,
I wanted to share my experience thanks to a pair of very kind Good Samaritans.
I was driving home on Moanalua Freeway when my tire suddenly deflated and I lost control of my car. I swerved all over the freeway from the right lane all the way to the left barely missing the median and finally being able to come to a stop next to the median. I am thankful that no one was hit.
I called 9-1-1 because I thought I couldn’t drive my car, and knew I was in a dangerous place because there was only a couple feet of shoulder on the road. With my flashers on, my daughter in the back seat crying from the shock of our near crash, many cars passed us. One car with a fellow, Tony Cabello, and his wife saw my predicament. They took the next cutoff, circled around, got back on the freeway and returned to park behind me to offer help. He told me I had a flat and offered to move my car across the freeway to a safe shoulder and change my tire, all of which he did. To have people actually go out of their way, to turn around and come back to assist a stranger in need was very special. Tony and his wife are very special people. I give credit, too, to their parents for raising such caring, courageous Good Samaritans. God bless them!
Deborah Yamaguchi
Mililani
Dear Deborah,
Perhaps one of the positive things emerging from the tragic stories out of Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas this past month is the knowledge that we are all connected. One person in need can affect the whole community; one gesture of kindness can bring well-being to all.
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(If you know someone who deserves some Applause, send your letters to Pamela Young, MidWeek Applause, KITV, 801 S. King St., Honolulu, HI, 96813 or e-mail pyoung@kitv.com. Include your name, phone number and, if possible, the phone number of your “applaudee” so we can contact him or her.)
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