Today I went to the crab park to eat my lunch while trying to squeeze out some new ideas for 2 upcoming installation projects, I was starving after 3 hours of online meeting right after waking up. I heard of sound of someone falling, this guy named Allan was on the ground, I ran up and asked if he's okay and if I need to call the ambulance. He said he's okay and it happens to him a lot, and he wants to wash this rock that he had on his hand, it's his wife he said. I looked around and there were a few people around me that were just looking at me as if why I would even talk to that guy. I made sure that he sat down and told him to be careful. I was feeling like a weirdo or something, the people around me gave us a weird gaze almost saying "he's crazy why would you bother talk to him?" After 10 mins, Allan stumbled towards the ocean and I immediately stood up and ran towards the water. I anticipated this accident as I can see that he was having some problem standing up straight and stay stable.
To those of you who aren't familiar with the DTES neighbourhood, this area has the highest population of homeless, low-income residents, drug addicts, physical and mental disable folks. Since it's side by side with one of the most posh neighbourhood--Gastown, we get a very dramatic mix of different people. It could be that the people from Gastown immediately assumes, neglects or despises the DTES residents. I am aware of that there are numerous people who would repetitively make up any stories for money and that money might just goes into drugs, and I am able to tell a bit more who they are by living in this hood after awhile.
At this moment, I didn't care about what's his back story, I just know that I need to save him from drowning. If he continues to go further into the water and falls backwards, he could potentially drown, as I ran towards him, he was fell over, and tried to stand up, and fell even deeper into the water, I ran into the water and tried my best to lift him back up and pull him out of the water. He didn't' choke or anything yet but as I was using all my strength trying to lift this guy who's about 5'9, it wasn't easy, and I looked around… there were a few capable young men, they were just sitting there and watching, especially these two really good looking young dudes, with nice built muscles, nice tattoos and slick hair, not only they were just sitting there, they were actually laughing at us while this whole thing was happening right in front of them.
I took Allan to sit down and asked him to not go anywhere close to the water anymore, he agreed, he was trying to say something it it was really hard to comprehend him. A blond women (her name is Frankie), biked towards me and waved at me, "come here, can I talk to you for a second?". At that moment.. I was thinking, shit, have I done something wrong? Should I not get close to his guy? "Do you know him?" she said, I said "no, I just wanted to help him, is there something wrong?" She came up close and grabbed both of my hands and said "I saw the whole thing that happened from far away, I couldn't believe that you were the only one who stood up and helped this guy who might of died right there. You're such a great person. I am so glad that you are here." I was almost in tears when she said that, she said she wants to find a journalist to write about this. She was disappointed about how our city became so heartless. I told her that there are still people like her, and we just need to spread this good energy more, I think Vancouver is one of the best city I've lived. She smiled and gave me a big hug. We went back to see Allan and making sure that he doesn't go back to the water again. He then told us that he just wanted to wash his wife, the rock on his name. So we took a closer look at this rock, it's actually a memorial stone of his wife, with her name on it. He said that someone moved his wife and he wants to put her back to where she belongs. We then found the place that he was looking for and helped him replacing the memorial stone of his wife. He was very happy and smiled so brightly. Frankie looked at the large memorial stone by Allan's and was astonished, she said that the dates are the exact same date as her son's death. She pulled out her son's photo. "it's all meant to be", we both said to each other. I took a photo for Allan and Frankie, and Allan's wife's memorial stone.
The story goes on.. Allan continues to stumble and sat down at the park, I asked him if he needs any help, from paramedics or social worker? He said something like "No no no, I'll be okay". I asked him if he is able to get home? "He shook my hand and said "Yes, you're sooooo kind, you have such a good heart, I am so happy that you are so kind to someone like me. I will be okay please don't' worry". I want to make sure that I give enough respect to him as an individual and not interrupt his life by calling the police or ambulance. I didn't want to be a bad helper who actually just overreacted and made things worse. I hugged him and left him alone.. I was a bit worried so I sat close by for a while and posted this status on Facebook asking my friends what I should do. And then I got a news about a friend who's life might be at risk and had to make a few phone calls to work out the situation (i'll keep this part private for now). And then I checked my Facebook status, I've got many replies from my friends suggesting me to call the police, especially with one of my friend who even was condemning me for not calling the ambulance as if I think I was the doctor or some sort. So I quickly turned around to see if he's still okay, but he was gone. So I ran around the park and to the street and asked around people to see if I can find him. I started to worried if I would find him bleeding on the ground or something bad. I began to blame myself for the decisions that I am making.
After 20mins, I found him sitting in the corner of Columbia and E. Hastings. Thank god that he was okay and he was able to make it this far! I went up and said hi, he looked at me and said "HEY SAMMY!" with a big smile. I asked him if he's okay, he shook my hand again and said that I'm so kind, and he's really okay, just wanted to get out of the sun. I tried to offer him some water or cold drinks and he kindly refused. I eventually said goodbye to him, and asked him to be safe, so we can meet again. I slowly walked away…
After 20mins, I found him sitting in the corner of Columbia and E. Hastings. Thank god that he was okay and he was able to make it this far! I went up and said hi, he looked at me and said "HEY SAMMY!" with a big smile. I asked him if he's okay, he shook my hand again and said that I'm so kind, and he's really okay, just wanted to get out of the sun. I tried to offer him some water or cold drinks and he kindly refused. I eventually said goodbye to him, and asked him to be safe, so we can meet again. I slowly walked away…
As I slowly walked away… I was look back at the people around him.. the further I walk away, the more he has just blends into this image of the DTES… the junkie and poor neighbourhood. I can start to see that from an eye of the Gastown or Yaletown people.. this is just a sad scenery that they probably just want to stay away from and watch from a distance, whether if it's with pity or disgust. Allan has became smaller and smaller… I almost couldn't see him anymore. And I told myself that Allan is one out of the millions that might actually need some attention and support from us. And this is just one out of the million things that I want to do for this world.
