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Share A Story NowHelping Another in Need
My parents always raised me to have strong values and hold firm to my convictions in life, and this was never more exemplified than when a situation arose when it would be easy for most people to ignore it.
A gentleman at my father's work began to come into work smelling continually of body odor and personal neglect, and as the months went by, showed signs of confusion. After being told to pick up papers at another building, he would be found sitting at his desk staring at his shoes; after being reminded (to which he would completely believe he hadn't been told the first time), he would be found once again sitting at his desk in the same position. This happened to worsening degrees over a few months and his coworkers either ignored it or were ignorant to this due to a lack of social interaction with the man.
My father began to mentally record all of this and finally sat down with him one day when he was found two hours after work was out, sitting in his car, looking like he didn't know where to go.
Apparently the gentleman was in the beginning/middle stages of Alzheimer's and was being financially taken advantage of by his children, who used his forgetfulness as a reason to ask him for money every few days. My father took this man to a hospital (for the first time in years) to be properly assessed, then worked with the county to get a caretaker to watch over his condition. He then went to the man's house and helped him sort out all of his financial matters and get his retirement set up; they went to the bank and had a government worker ensure that his bills would be paid for and his children would no longer get to treat him like a personal ATM.
That my father took this much personal time to help another man that so many had forgotten or would choose to neglect, or even make fun of, truly shows his character. Thanks to him, this man can now live securely and be taken care of in a frightening time.
Story was submitted anonymously
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Your Comments
This story is very inspiring. It's good to know that there are people out there who still care about other people.
Posted about 3 years ago by April from Chandler, AZ
Yes thats the nature of life. Everything about life is how to serve others.
Posted almost 4 years ago by Markson.G from Tangerang, Indonesia
This is a really amazing story. I can't believe that people could just ignore him and take advantage of a man with such a cruel illness. Your father is a hero.
Posted about 4 years ago by Mariaisabel Z. from Brooklyn, New York USA
What your father did was really thoughtful,we all need to wake up to our responsibilities to our fellow man! Lovely story.
Posted about 4 years ago by Kayode A. from Lagos, Nigeria
Not only is you father a compassionate man, but a great example to you and others of how we should all treat each other. I hope this story and this organization help to "pass it on".
Posted about 4 years ago by Karen Vinci from Newport, RI
A lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all...it's seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It's seeing what other people don't see, and pursuing that vision.
Posted over 4 years ago by Bryan from Miami, Florida USA
Your father did a very valuable thing. I would love to have such strong values to be able to assist even when the times are challenging and even when the day looks bleak.
Posted over 4 years ago by Sandra T. from Zimbabwe
Wow!!! That was awesome.
Posted over 4 years ago by Betty M. A. from Nairobi, Kenya
Well done.
Posted over 4 years ago by kamaal from Lucknow, India
I wish all of us have that spark in us to reach out to people who need help as this will make the world a beautiful place to live. I salute your father.
Posted over 4 years ago by Ivy C from New Delhi, India
Your Father is a beautiful role model an great man how lucky you are to be raised by such a loving an good parent. Much blessings will come too him for such great character and compassion.
Posted over 4 years ago by Angela H from New Zealand
I only hope that somewhere down the road in my life I run into someone with the compassion of your father. You must be so proud!
Posted over 4 years ago by Charlie C. from Florida, USA
It is so easy for us to ignore what happens "next door" because people seldom want to be involved or be committed to others even if it means only helping one out as your father did. What a wonderful example.
Posted almost 5 years ago by Lidia L. from São Paulo, Brazil
Your father is a very compassionate man! It is very rare these days to find someone who, on his own accord, will look after or even just care about a person not in anyway related to him, unless he is being paid to do it. God bless your father, and may there be many more like him in this cruel world!
Posted almost 5 years ago by Paulyn R. from Phlippines
I can't believe that that would happen in the first place but it's nice how certain thoughtful people look out for people like him. And what were the kids thinking!? I mean I as kid myself, I would never take advantage of my dad!
Posted almost 5 years ago by suky from england