Today I was getting some groceries on Lawrence Avenue. As I walked out, I saw a man in a wheelchair, on the edge of the street, trying to make his way up it. He yelled, "Push me! Push me!" and started to point to the road ahead. I went up to him, and told him to get off the road, as there was no way I would be pushing him down oncoming traffic. I was worried about his safety, and felt sorry for the guy. I then tried to push him up the sidewalk, but he was very heavy, and was not cooperating.
I then told him that I would take him down the street in my car. I led him to the passenger side, and he took my thermos that was lying on the seat and flung it to car floor. It took a long time for me to get his massive body inside the car, and I folded his dirty wheelchair and put it in the trunk. "Where are you from? China" he asked when he got in the car. I am Canadian of Asian descent, and found this question offensive. He seemed to be mocking me because of my background.
He then told me to go to Tim Hortons. I did, and it seemed like he was getting his money ready. When I asked him what he wanted, he told me to pay with a $20 and give him the change. It was then I realized that this guy was not just some unfortunate guy in a wheelchair, but rather a homeless man. I didn't want to take out my wallet, as it has a lot of money in it, and I didn't want him to see the bills. Instead, I took out a bunch of change from my pocket (about $10 worth). The man then demanded that I give him all of the change. I hesitated, but I was worried that if I refused, he might get violent. So I handed it over to him, and paid for the coffee.
The man grabbed a pillow that was in my backseat, and asked me if he could have it. I refused, and really didn't like him touching it. He then reached behind and grabbed a bottled water, but it was frozen, so he threw it back.
When I dropped him off, I felt very relieved. Despite his behaviour, I felt bad for him, and took out a $10 bill, and offered it to him. "No, give me $20!" he demanded. I was shocked. I refused, of course, and then put the ten dollar bill back into my wallet. He then changed his mind, and asked for it, but I went into my car. He then yelled at me, "Push me! Push me!"
I wanted to get the hell away from him, and I almost got into a car accident because I was so upset. I drove away very shaken from the experience. Never have I experienced anything like this before with a homeless man. A week ago, I gave a homeless man $20 and he was very appreciative.
This man treated me like a personal slave, and acted as if $10 was an insult. I helped him into my car, put away his filthy wheelchair, got him a coffee, gave him $10 in change, drove him to where he wanted, and offered him $10, but instead of being grateful, he was very unappreciative, and even ordered me to push him around.
I know this is not typical, but it does make me wonder if I will be so helpful next time I see someone like that.
I then told him that I would take him down the street in my car. I led him to the passenger side, and he took my thermos that was lying on the seat and flung it to car floor. It took a long time for me to get his massive body inside the car, and I folded his dirty wheelchair and put it in the trunk. "Where are you from? China" he asked when he got in the car. I am Canadian of Asian descent, and found this question offensive. He seemed to be mocking me because of my background.
He then told me to go to Tim Hortons. I did, and it seemed like he was getting his money ready. When I asked him what he wanted, he told me to pay with a $20 and give him the change. It was then I realized that this guy was not just some unfortunate guy in a wheelchair, but rather a homeless man. I didn't want to take out my wallet, as it has a lot of money in it, and I didn't want him to see the bills. Instead, I took out a bunch of change from my pocket (about $10 worth). The man then demanded that I give him all of the change. I hesitated, but I was worried that if I refused, he might get violent. So I handed it over to him, and paid for the coffee.
The man grabbed a pillow that was in my backseat, and asked me if he could have it. I refused, and really didn't like him touching it. He then reached behind and grabbed a bottled water, but it was frozen, so he threw it back.
When I dropped him off, I felt very relieved. Despite his behaviour, I felt bad for him, and took out a $10 bill, and offered it to him. "No, give me $20!" he demanded. I was shocked. I refused, of course, and then put the ten dollar bill back into my wallet. He then changed his mind, and asked for it, but I went into my car. He then yelled at me, "Push me! Push me!"
I wanted to get the hell away from him, and I almost got into a car accident because I was so upset. I drove away very shaken from the experience. Never have I experienced anything like this before with a homeless man. A week ago, I gave a homeless man $20 and he was very appreciative.
This man treated me like a personal slave, and acted as if $10 was an insult. I helped him into my car, put away his filthy wheelchair, got him a coffee, gave him $10 in change, drove him to where he wanted, and offered him $10, but instead of being grateful, he was very unappreciative, and even ordered me to push him around.
I know this is not typical, but it does make me wonder if I will be so helpful next time I see someone like that.
