Fuzzygumdrop
48460
1446
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My sister had an extreme asthma attack and couldn't breath while walking her and her 2 young children home from the park. Her cellphone messed up and she couldn't call out. Her medication didn't help either.
She had her 4 year old daughter stand on the side of the road waving her arms and yelling for help, no body stopped for 20 minutes.
A teenager even walked right by her, she asked him to call 911 and he just kept walking.
Finally a family member spotted her and helped her out.
She is okay now, and is seeing a lung specialist this week as her attacks were never this bad until a few months ago. She is also getting a new phone.
TL;DR - sister couldn't breath, 4 year old screams for help but no one cares.
Embronyx
Oh god that terrifies me..
drewcrosby
I had to read the top text a couple times. I was like "what the hell is a body stop, and why does a kid need one?"
UilleaannShriek
I have Cystic Fibrosis and it's very rare wether you're having a coughing attack for people to acknowledge you. Almost never harppens.
Gsk0
People are worried about causing offence like asking if you're ok is somehow patronising.
NovaBlack0
Good Samaritan without the "good". Dang, I hope your sis is okay.
cthonion
To be fair, I ignore anything any children say
Axiluvia
All the kids around here scream bloody murder when they're playing. Still doesn't excuse the teenager. "Call 911" should not be ignored
spaghettiandmeatballs
I've heard of gangs using kids as bait like that. I've been told to never stop but instead call 911. It's a crap world!
icyvaynes
At least you would call 911.
Fuzzygumdrop
I'd totally be cool with that. I totally get people being sketchy about stopping....but at the least call 911, the cops
Mithi
Buy one of those phones that have an emergency-button, mostly advertised for senior citizens. Bought one for 50€ for my father.
AccountCreatedToUpdogVotes
Sister had a phone, it just wasn't working for some reason.
KittyLiz
Even as a woman I would not approach a child thats alone. They could be screaming that their house is on fire unless I can see that house no
icyvaynes
She wasn't alone mother was next to her.
Fuzzygumdrop
The child wasn't alone. My sister was pushing a stroller with her 4yr old and 1yr old. She had to get her 4 year old to get out now wave
KittyLiz
They all on the side of the road? Still dont think I would sorry but what if it was a set up? I live in a big city, it would not surprise me
icyvaynes
I live in a big city and I still would have helped.
KittyLiz
I live in Louisville KY and the only time I went out of my way to help someone I got the shit kicked out of me for my trouble
caguilar8899
I fucking hate people. Im so sorry. Urgh.
Molvanian
So, a four year old was screaming for help outside my house. Turns out he needed a push to get his bike up a hill. This has happened more
Molvanian
than once. Hate to break it to you. Kids scream a lot. Even when you don't have a woodchipper running, but that's besides the point.
icyvaynes
She was next to her mother. Not alone.
BullshitConfessionBears
Also I have neighbor kids that SCREAM all the time when they're playing. Sounds like someone is trying to kill them.
paeches
yes, but you know these kids. and i'm sure if it was actual horror, you would be able to detect a difference.
Molvanian
That is every neighbor's kid.
mamabarry
I would have helped. Most people just think someone else will do it or they aren't equipped to help. People aren't bad, just scared.
mamabarry
Ps- I'm glad your sister is ok
Fuzzygumdrop
Thank you!
twominutesforhighsticking
This is why you teach kids never to scream for help when playing. Crying wolf effect when kids ask for help.
KuteKittenKoats
Humans are bastards. Anyone who says differently is naive. It's sad no one helped but it doesn't surprise me
PileOfWalthers
Damn man, if I see a four year old girl standing by the side of the road waving and yelling for help, you bet I think it's a trap.
icyvaynes
Even if she is next to her mother who is hunched over or on the ground?
MysticalPidgeon
Yes
RayLynch
I wonder why nobody knows the difference between the words breath and breathe.
wildpumpkin
Someone tell me this was a misunderstanding so I don't think the world is a fucked up place
icyvaynes
Nope. And apparently no one actually read the post.
GoCorral
Now that cell phones are a thing I basically never stop to help people.
cousteau
This was a misunderstanding so you don't think the world is a fucked up place. Did I do it right?
Redbrickadam
Bystander effect the more people around the less likely one of them will help someone.
wildpumpkin
Thanks, I guess that'll do
Redbrickadam
It's not an ideal answer but no one was ignoring consciously.
wildpumpkin
Yeah my thoughts exactly
icyvaynes
Should teach them to yell fire instead. I know it sounds crazy but people are more than likely to look to see if the fire will hurt them.
RogueLife
blobtron
Man something is off in this pic.. Did let the original say whadup or something .. Shit man my memory..
flassk
well this just made my day... and sums up my experience with people at work in one go.
VisofSer
As a white adult man, I would run the other way than approach a child unaccompanied. Not worth the risk.
eggmuffin
The risk that someone might get the wrong idea and might, at some point in the future, make you uncomfortable? Help people, man!
piedpiper89
Couldn't agree more,
icyvaynes
Kid was with the mom next to her.
Fuzzygumdrop
Yup you are right
AweYissMuthaFuckinPajamaPants
So they didn't just ignore a child, but a woman having an asthma attack on the ground next to the child?
nazgulxnl
Well disregard my previous comment then if the mom was in view of her.
paeches
ask from a safe distance "do you need help?". if a kid is joking and says yes, then they'll learn a valuable lesson when you call 911.
destinoz
What's worth the risk if not a child asking for help? At what point do you, adult man, accept the smallest risk to yourself?
Cornealeus
legitimate question- what risk are you talking about?
MiasmaCorrigan
Being called a pedo
tortfeasor
An adult male taking an interest in a child he's not related to tends to be treated as a pedophile. Sometimes even by law enforcement.
tortfeasor
It's common for a father taking his kids to the park without his wife to get dirty looks from women there. Sometimes the police are called.
icyvaynes
I get that but the child was next to her mother. Clearly able to see the mother is having issues with health. If worried that much then1/2
icyvaynes
From a safe but in ear shot distance ask if 911 is needed or just call 911. 2/2
PookyButt
Maybe your sister is supper annoying and the town was trying to get rid of her. I'm just saying it's a possibility
Zetor
The bystander effect. :/
OneDoggoEqualsOneLikeEqualsOnePrayer
Her name was KITTY GENOVESE
zlds
Social psych is a bitch sometimes :(
ThatFellow
Partially the "Oh yes, me, an adult male will look very good stopping and talking to an unaccompanied 4 year old girl." effect, I bet.
iAintNoSynthDammit
i try my best to never let myself be affected by this, but fear its going to get me killed one day.
Yomommasass
You need to call on people specifically to break the effect. "Hey, you in the red shirt, call 911"
IssacOppenheimer
Kid tried this. Teenager ignored her. :[
ThroughTheFireAndTheFlamesOnExpert
But red shirts are doomed man, you can't put your life in the hands of a red shirt.
supinebovine
They'll get it first, allowing you to survive!
Straga27
That may be true but I'm certain a four year old would not know that. (I certainly didn't)
invar
But since we know 4 year olds lack experience, we should pay more attention to them. The blame lies more on the ignorant than the young, no?
AccountCreatedToUpdogVotes
Did you ever read the paper/article on the woman that was murdered in the middle of a neighborhood while her neighbors watched?
Camelspotting
Isn't that the main case study for the effect?
LaBix
Because of how readily people shout paedophile at a lone male, I hesitate whenever I see a child in distress.
icyvaynes
She was next to her mother.
LaBix
In a society of vilification of males, don't be surprised if they don't help out of fear of negative ramifications.
Bowen1985
Saw a guy have a stroke and fall out of a wheelchair in the rain. 2 men stood there under umbrellas watching him. i ran over and got EMS.
ToastofSparta1
Where the fuck does she live? That's awful
Redbrickadam
I bet New York, you could be shot and bleeding out and no one would stop.
icyvaynes
That's sad.
Fuzzygumdrop
Alberta, Canada. This same town a few years ago, a dude shot up an apartment to get cops to come...no one called cops. He turned himself in
memento765
Sounds like crazy town. I don't think it's like that everywhere. was it a bad neighborhood, rich neighborhood?
SodaRayne
Alberta is a province, not a city, just fyi.
AccountCreatedToUpdogVotes
...why did he turn himself in? This doesn't make sense.
ToastofSparta1
Because Canada.
HermanManly
Well, his initial goal was for someone to call the cops...
AccountCreatedToUpdogVotes
Yep. Completely skimmed over that part. Oops.
TheRifRaf
This is what happens when you live in a big city.
Fuzzygumdrop
I don't live in a big city, there are 10k people
TheRifRaf
Well then its a shitty town.
Surrealle
I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt and hope people just assumed a kid that young was only playing. They are pretty noisy at that age
alicubi
Yeah a 4 year old having an asthma attack is SO LOUD.
Surrealle
Reading comprehension, ftw
alicubi
"They are pretty noisy at that age" not being able to comprehend what you, yourself wrote ftw.
Surrealle
This just gets better and better. How about you read the paragraph again, very carefully, and come back when you see what you did wrong.
Fuzzygumdrop
Possibly but the teen who WALKED by her and my sister asked him to call 911..he was 17-18 she guessed
piedpiper89
10/10 ignore children every. Single. Time. Probably wouldn't even hear the words. Hate children and avoid them as much as possible
Raizioo
Music in his ears? Very very common these days.
damnyuoautocorrect
But so distracted by it that he doesn't notice a distress signal? That's truly fucked.
Prednizn
Fucking Pokemon Go man.
idlekids
Maybe he thought it was a prank, bro
disinfectantrum
Better to get punked then find out on the news you basically let someone die
7HIris
He may also have not wanted to risk the ''what are you doing talking to that child'' moment
wotemer
That Person actually comitted a crime and is hopefully found soon
wotemer
Oh well, apparently(wikipedia told me) the whole civilized world has a "duty to rescue". just not the anglosphere
espasmato
It's not illegal to not help someone. I'm confused how they committed a crime. I get it was a dick thing to do. But I don't know of a law.
insertsupercoolusernamehere
Many states have good Samaritan laws.
espasmato
Good samaritan laws wouldn't have to do with them not stopping. It just protects people if they do. Plus we still don't know where this was
espasmato
At least not everywhere in the US. Some countries do.
espasmato
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duty_to_rescue
sakymar
It's illegal in France, it's "not giving assistance to a person in danger". Feels really logical to me.
espasmato
Eh wasn't saying it's illogical. It's just not clear that they broke any laws because we don't know where this happened.
aaaaaaza
Fuck off you can't make people help. Should they? Yeah. But people do shit they shouldn't all the time. It's called free will.
lasr00
It is illegal in some places. I know I'm Québec if you are legally required to help, even if it's just calling 911. Also, if you have 1/2
espasmato
I acknowledged it would be illegal in some places.
lasr00
first aid training you MUST give first aid to someone who is hurt, and if you don't have first aid you still have to call 911. 2/2
FutureHylian
Thats inexcusable. People in cars cant really assess the situation, but that teenager needs to read the hangman.
dicklashanks
you can't blame people now a days for the simple fact of how low some stoop to rob someone or worse. It's a shitty word we live in
pres2pond
Also every person who dies means one fewer competition for jobs. It's a doggy-dog world out there, especially in this economy.
DidItForScience
Strangely, crime is going down in many parts the world but the reporting of it is more prevalent.
MisterIncognitus
Is there any other way to fill 24/7 news coverage
DidItForScience
The Internet.
morehumanthanhuman
This is exactly the problem
JigglyFuckingPuff
There was a post about the sounds of children/babies in distress used to lure women from their home to help and were killed (serial killer?)
AccountCreatedToUpdogVotes
Like the two teens who were "broken down" by the side of the road and murdered the man who tried to help them?
idunnogoddamwaterbottles
Let me save you all some trauma. Don't try and look into this you won't like the video you'll find
spaghettiThunderbolt
You won't like anything you find. Shit was really fucked up.
dicklashanks
Exactly. I don't help people on the side of the road because of things like that
idunnogoddamwaterbottles
I have a friend who does help people on the side of the road and he basically thinks it's worth the chance which is super noble I guess
syntaxxor
This coming from the mouth of an oxygen deprived person and a 4yr old. I'm sure it's 100% accurate.
syntaxxor
Also, she couldn't breathe for longer than 20 minutes? I can't even hold my breathe for more than 3.
CopperWench
You ever had asthma?
syntaxxor
Yes.
Lifk
Dude thats asthma ,not diving under the sea
syntaxxor
The number of things wrong with this "story" is beyond reasoning. I'll leave it at that, enjoy the pity show though.
CopperWench
This is a reality of life for many of us. Even if the cell was working, I know I can't use one when my blood oxygen dips.
EverydayIdleness
Welp, if I had stopped people would have assumed I was trying to rape them. Make it so men are always guilty, and they'll never help.
LapisScarab
What in the shit are you even talking about.
LasagnaIsJustPizzaCake
Walk me through your logic on this one please.
icyvaynes
Not everyone would. If I had seen the you helping I would help you help and help keep your name clear. Not everyone is that simple minded.
icyvaynes
But I find it hard for that to be what is seen if you are the one calling 911.
Notceepy456
Exactly!
illmissyou
I really hope you're joking. Still, I'm prepared for a lot of imgur to take you seriously.
Euphio
Yeah, this story is all about you and how oppressed you are.
SuPeRJ03
Probably a joke, but it's still a pretty valid point.
jsktrogdor
I don't know why you're being downvoted by some people. I have legitimately walked past children I thought might be lost because of this.
SomeDetroitGuy
Because it's an idiotic, irrational fear and you're putting people at risk because of it.
jsktrogdor
It's really not any of those things, but okay, keep telling yourself that.
yogurtandstuff
Not helping a lost child because you fear for yourself?
icyvaynes
She wasn't lost. Next to her mother. But even still its sad that is what they think. If its that bad start looking for the police or still 1
icyvaynes
Call 911 and report a lost child and the location. ( agreeing with you btw) 2/2
LapisScarab
That's *your* decision, though. No one is making you ignore people, that fear is absurd. Even in a world where someone would accuse you 1/2
LapisScarab
of that, all you need to do is explain like a rational adult that you were trying to help. If they harass you they're the assholes. 2/2
jsktrogdor
That's this world. This world is where that happens and it happens every day.
LapisScarab
Got some evidence of that? I'm not saying it never happens but you'd need to prove it's more than incidental to justify that fear.
secretlibby
Who asked you to stop? All you'd have to do is dial 911.
ihaveatinyPP
I'm
ihaveatinyPP
Sorry pocket replied
jsktrogdor
She only asked one person to call 911.
secretlibby
Because "help" isn't explicit enough?
jsktrogdor
Yeah, so I can be the guy standing there when the mom walks up to her crying little girl with a grown man talking to her. No thanks.
secretlibby
Dude, if you've got a phone you could literally keep walking without even making eye contact. It's three numbers.
destinoz
Your first thought seeing a child in trouble is of how it might look? Is fear how you make all decisions or just the important ones?
icyvaynes
The child was next to her mother. That logic doesn't work. Did any of the guys on here actually read the post?