Eric's inspiration lives on!

I was walking down Yonge Street in Toronto this morning as I made my way uptown to a meeting. As I waited for the light to turn green at a crosswalk, a commotion erupted at where I was headed across the street.

All of a sudden a police car came to an abrupt halt in the intersection, blocking the sidewalk and the curb cut. A fire truck arrived on the scene too. They were tending to a person who was passed out on the sidewalk, right at the intersection!

"Ahh...life in Toronto!" I thought.

Since the situation wasn't a matter of life and death, we were able to cross the street without hesitation. When I got to the police car, I walked around without any problem.

On the other side of the cruiser, there was a lady who was using a wheelchair. Since the police car was blocking the intersection, she was having some difficulty in getting around the car. As I walked passed her, we both shook our heads in disgust.

I took two steps passed her and then quickly turned back. "Just a minute," I thought. "This lady needs help."

When I returned to her spot, she was still having difficulty. The oncoming cars were not slowing down or stopping, or giving her enough room to go around the police car.

I asked her if she needed some help. She said "yes." I explained to her that I had a son who used a wheelchair and that I understood her position. She smiled at me with gratitude. I told her that I would walk with her and give her some room to move.

As soon as the light turned green, we executed our plan. All it took was 3 steps from me to get her across. 3 small steps..that's it. Not too much to ask, is it?

We both looked at the police car and said that he could have pulled ahead, to the side of the road so that he wasn't blocking the crosswalk. But...he didn't think of it. He didn't think of what the barrier that he created for the lady in the wheelchair.

I realized it because I lived it and was happy to help out. I am going to write a letter to the Toronto Police Department about this.

It's up to us who understand what is needed to explain it to others; to raise awareness and to educate them.

I'm doing my part and I hope you will too!

I got a tear in my eye as I said goodbye to the lady. I thought of my son Eric and how all of the things he has taught me, live on. Bless you Eric, and "thanks for making the world a better place."