After dinner with friends on West Broadway last month, we agreed to walk rather than bus home in the direction of Dunbar. At the half way point, we departed and I carried on to my home at Wallace Street and 30th Avenue. By this time, it was lightly raining and dark. Crossing 27th Avenue at Chaldecott Park, I continued south on the west side of Wallace Street. The other side of the street is St George's mini school. I was only two short blocks from home and anticipated hearing of my wife's evening at a book club and my daughter's day at a sporting event. With absolutely no warning, the next few seconds and the event that followed, unfolded with terrifying speed!
A car travelling in the same direction I walked, cut in front and side swiped me to the ground. The back tire rolled over my left lower leg. Despite the impact, the car continued and quietly disappeared down the lane. In disbelief and what I was to learn the next day, in shock, I got up off the wet pavement, settled down my very upset dog, and took inventory of my injuries.
My wrist, shoulder and lower leg hurt. Thinking I might have heard the car stop down the lane, I hobbled in that direction, asking into the night if anybody could hear me. Nobody replied. Upset and worried about what to do, I called 911 and returned in the direction of the sidewalk.
Asking for the assistance of the police, I was put through and explained where I was and what had just happened. I was asked if I needed medical assistance. I said I did not know. I was put on hold. It was about this time that a car pulled up and stopped.
Soon I was addresses by a woman's voice, "Oh, I thought you were a raccoon."
"No, this is a guide dog, I am blind, and I was just hit by a car!"
I do not recall what else was then said. Awaiting the police to come back on the line, I was soon to learn the cellphone battery was dead. Meanwhile, the woman concluded any sense her of obligations to me by returning to her car and said "Well, obviously you got in my way."
I hobbled home, slightly more aware of the pain in my ankle, and called the police. Very soon I was in the capable, sensitive and appropriate care of the police and medical services.
To the driver of the car that hit me, you terrified me and I think about you every day. My guide dog, mercifully, is okay.
A lot of people have heard about you now. Many of these people have more hostile feelings than me towards you. A First Nations friend of mine, tells me of the circle. When the circle gets too big, we lose touch with what and those who are important to us in our lives. Is the driver of this car, in touch with her reality? Another common notion about the circle is one that many of us are familiar with-what goes around, comes around. It is summer in the city and there are raccoons and people sharing the roads which is common to out realities-returning safely to our homes from meaningful and positive days_
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A Chaldecott Park resident, Bruce A. Gilmour has a golden guide dog named Aurora.
