I'm sure you've seen posts on social media that ask for likes and shares. However, likes and shares don't exactly help people in need. This weeks article outlines my epic adventure that took place on Friday, July 15, a quest to help a homeless man in need.

The First Steps

I had just finished working at my job at the University of the Pacific. I'm an office assistant for the office of marketing and communications. My means of transportation to and from work is walking, so I began the trek back home and started walking down Pacific Avenue. On my way home, I passed by a S-Mart Foods where I saw a man in a wheelchair. As I walked by him he asked if he could use my phone. I contemplated this in my head due to the fact that I'm rather cautious around strangers, given my location. I decided to let the man use my phone. He called a woman who seemed to be his caretake. I just assumed because I just heard his side of the conversation. He asked for a ride, but she was working so he had no means of transportation. He was in a really bad spot, so he then asked me if I could push him to somewhere and get him something to drink. Just a little added context, it was pretty hot outside, 96 degrees to be exact. So at this point I'm faced with two paths, the easy one which is to walk home, and the harder one which is to help the man. I chose the road less traveled, and it truly made the difference.

Paying it Forward

So I'm pushing the man in the wheelchair down Pacific towards Miracle Mile so that he can get something to eat and drink. He really needed something to drink so I pushed him to Gourmet Burrito. It was then that I realized how people with disabilities have it. I only pushed him a quarter of a mile and it gave me a pretty good work out. I ran inside to get the man a soda, since he was dehydrated. Then, an elderly white man stops me as I'm paying and gives me five dollars.

"I want you to keep the change. You're doing a good thing, kid."

This gave me a huge energy boost. I ran back outside to give the man his drink. I vividly remember him drinking it so fast. I don't know when the last time he drank was, but it was definitely a long time ago. I went back inside to get him a refill, and then I began to push him across the street to Little Caesars.

Pizza, Pizza

So we're at Little Caesar's and the man asked me what pizza I want, and I replied, "This is your day, man, you get whatever you want." He didn't say anything after that for a while, because he was in awe that someone would be so nice to him. We then ordered the pizza he wanted, but I decided to not have any because I wanted to make sure he had food to eat later. I was hungry because I hadn't eaten since 10 in the morning, but I didn't mind. We began a conversation while waiting for the pizza and began to get to know each other a little better. He was impressed that I was going to university and complimented me on how I'm a smart and nice kid and how there aren't many people like me. I really was flattered. I try to practice humility, but this man helped me see how much I have going for me. He then went on to tell me about his life and how he lost his legs. He told me that he has severe nerve damage to his legs, so he can actually move them slightly, but he is in tremendous pain. We continued to talk until the pizza was finished, and I began to see him more as a friend rather than a stranger I am helping. Once the pizza arrived, he began eating there, since we really don't have anywhere to go and it's air conditioned inside. At this point, I was wondering what would happen next, so I asked the man if there was anything else he wanted. He then said that he needed pain killers for his nerve damage, because he is in a lot of pain, so I decided that the next stop would be the Walgreens on Harding.

Pain

As I approached the Jack in the Box on Pacific and began to head down Harding to Walgreens, I begin to notice how fatigued I actually was. When we arrived to Walgreens (not the safest place in the world), another homeless man approached me and said, "God bless you, kid, you're doing a good thing." This gave me another huge energy boost, because I was on the brink of exhaustion. So I went into the Walgreens and walked out with some Advil and a soda, because he had gotten thirsty again. At this point, I was hungry and in some degree of pain from all the walking and pushing the wheelchair. In hindsight, I believe I didn't do anything about it because I was so focused on the man's needs that I forgot I existed. So at this point, I wasn't sure what to do next, but then he said he had to use the bathroom really bad. So I rushed him to the nearest public restroom, Taco Bell.

Altruism

We got to Taco Bell, and I politely asked the lady up front if I could help my disabled homeless friend use the bathroom without paying for something, and she was OK with it. We entered the restroom and headed straight for the handicap stall. Things got bad quickly, and if you have my sense of humor, I guess you could say that the shit really hit the fan. So I moved his wheelchair as close as possible to the toilet and lifted him onto it, which was very difficult strength-wise. I had to assist him with taking his pants off, and while doing that he couldn't hold it in any longer, and proceeded to use the bathroom. At this point, I'm was wondering how I got myself into this situation, but then I realized that it was my responsibility now, and I would have to take care of the situation. So I spent the next 45 minutes cleaning up the restroom and getting him a clean change of clothes from his backpack. I simplified this because it is really too hard to talk about and isn't an interesting read, but I promise you, it wasn't easy. After we left Taco Bell, I realized that it was already getting late and dark. I asked him where I could drop him off because I couldn't just leave him at Taco Bell. He told me that he has a homie who lives nearby and that if I took him there then he could sleep in his car.

I am a Hero

From Taco Bell I pushed him another mile, and by this time I just wanted to give up and die. I'm not exaggerating. I felt full of despair. Our destination felt further and further after each step. I was also going through a shady neighborhood wearing a red T-shirt, but I decided that if someone was going to kill me while I was pushing a homeless man in a wheelchair that would be an okay way to die. I'd hate to abandon all my loved ones, but if the last thing I did before I died was helping a stranger it would all be worth it to me. At this point I was running on pure adrenaline. I remember the sense of excitement I got when I saw the house I had to push him to. I felt like I was going to cry, but I was too tired to produce tears. It wasn't a sad cry, it was a happy cry. My journey was over. The man thanked me for everything that happened.

"You didn't have to do any of this. You're going to be a great man, I just know it."

After this I began walking back to my house, which was about another mile and a half away, but for some reason I felt no pain, only bliss. I felt like I was high from helping the man and completing my journey. I felt like for that moment I was a superhero. I felt unstoppable. I felt free.

The Road Less Traveled

As I allude the famous poem by Robert Frost, I realize that I, Grant Sebastian, am destined for greatness. That day could have been a lot different had I not let the man use my phone, but I decided to take the path without pavement. My path is not easy, my path is harsh, but with every obstacle I grow stronger. I choose to pick the road less traveled because it has made all the difference.