Asked in Bidwell Park, Chico
Byron Toews
Remodeler
This happened back when I was a drinker, I don’t drink anymore…but I was outside a bar, smoking a cigarette, and this woman [nearby] was having an emotional episode. Her and her boyfriend were having some sort of thing and she was wanting to run into the street, into traffic. I ended up talking her down, I didn’t know her at all. I intervened, I’m not going to watch someone hurt themself. I told her she had much more to live for and that she shouldn’t do that over some argument with her significant other and that there were people who cared about her.
Gina Vernau
Elementary School Teacher
At Starbucks once, I saw a woman counting coins to pay for a small coffee, and she didn’t have enough. She looked embarrassed and walked away without ordering. The cashier didn’t say anything. I wish I had stepped up to cover the difference. It would have been a small thing for me, but maybe a big thing for her.
Dale Hutchings
Retired
I was in the park and a woman nearby had unleashed her small dog to run around for a moment. Another man (who was mentally ill) came over and kicked the dog and it flew about 30 feet into the air. I immediately tackled the guy, helped keep him restrained, and we called the police. The owner of the dog connected with me later on and told me the dog was okay. To me, the incident was a reflection of how we don’t have enough support available for those who are mentally struggling.
Kamala Purl
Middle School Teacher
In 1995, I was at a theater in Seattle with my boyfriend, waiting to see Johnny Cash’s show. As the lobby cleared out, we saw Dave Grohl enter in a faux fur coat with a beautiful brunette, and they ran past us, up the stairs to the show. As they went up, we watched in slow motion as he face-planted on the stairs. I still regret not helping him up; we’d probably be the best of friends if I had!
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