Yesterday (7 Feb ‘08), the Pittsburgh Post Gazette started reporting on Random Acts of Kindness (link). They even encourage their readership to submit more stories by sending an email to page2@post-gazette.com.

The first story they share is touching, as it shows how a seemingly small act of kindness can change someone’s life:

On Nov. 15 of last year, I was leaving South Hills Village mall when I lost my footing on a curb. I fell and hit my head, hard.

I was lucky to have two strangers stop to help me. Little did I know just how fortunate I would turn out to be.

The man and the woman firmly ignored my request to let me just get up and proceed to the T station. They knew that I needed immediate medical attention.

The woman parked her SUV in a way that shielded me from traffic and passers-by, and covered me with a wrap so that I would stay warm. The man called 911 and acted on its instructions not to let me move.

They both stayed with me until the ambulance arrived.

At UPMC Presbyterian, I was found to have bleeding on my brain. Emergency surgery was performed.

If those two people had let me go up and go on my way, I would not be here to write this letter.

I didn’t get your names. Wherever you are, let me say to you, with no exaggeration:

Thank you for saving my life.

– PAULETTE DOBROVOLSKIS, South Side

I hope next time you see someone having a bad fall, you will feel inspired to help them instead of laughing at them, as many of us do these days.