Julie Helen: Stranger saved my day when he made the decision to talk to me 

I pulled into a local station to get diesel. We were running on fumes and on our way to summer camp.

I got out of the car and adjusted to line myself up to fill the fuel. I had silently congratulated myself for leaving the perfect amount of room between the car and the pump to make things easy for myself.

I am precarious on my feet at the best of times. Whatever way I twisted, I lost the little balance I had, and I knew in that split second, one of two things would happen. I would either lean funnily on the injured knee I have and make it worse, or I would fall.

I can still count on two hands the times I’ve had serious falls in my forty years, and considering I have such difficulties with walking and balance, I think that’s really good going. I seem to have this window of time, probably only a second, when I know I’m going to fall, and I can kind of direct it. This goes out the window if I’m about to fall backwards, but I try to avoid that at all costs.

I have learned over the years that falling safely forward can often result in less damage than trying to regain my composure and prevent a fall. I have too many recurring injuries in my knees, hips, and ankles to take a chance with a dodgy half-executed gymnastics-type manoeuvre.

I was actually taught how to fall safely as a kid, to try and breathe while falling so I don’t send my body into a spasm, and to put my hands out to save myself and curl to protect my head. This particular morning, I managed to drop my walking sticks and put my hands out, but I didn’t curl my head enough as my nose met with concrete. There was no blood, so I took it as a win.

I used the tyre of the car as a steady ledge to heave myself up to my feet again.

Just as I was pulling myself together, a man got out of his car at the opposite pump. He hadn’t seen me fall as he had only arrived as I was back my feet.

He met my gaze and started to go about his business. Then he did a double-take and asked if I was alright.

There must have been distress on my face; I had been debating whether to ask him for help. I did something I never do. I told him the truth and asked could he fill my diesel for me. He obliged really kindly and went into the shop and paid for the fuel too. He asked me a number of times if I was sure I was okay and we parted.

There would have been a time when I was younger, if I had fallen, I would have said nothing and ploughed on. I’m glad I didn’t. I could have fallen again in the shop or not had the strength in my legs to carry me there and back after a tumble.

I asked for help, so Ricky got to his camp on time and with no fuss.

The kindness of strangers is so important in my life.

That man did a small thing in his world, but a huge thing for me. He saved my morning when he made the decision to talk to me.

I know it can be daunting to speak to someone, but if you are in a position to help, please do it; you could save the day.