Oftentimes, right about the time we think we’ve got our world figured out, it can get flipped on its head.
That’s what one stranger showed a North Miami man right when he needed it most.
James Fox’s life hasn’t been easy.
James has partially malformed arms and legs.
He gets around on a skateboard, which he was doing one day heading to his mother’s house.
At the time, he was homeless.
Suddenly, a man stopped his truck and asked James if he’d like a ride.
The driver’s name is Dan Creighton, and he was acting out of kindness.
However, he had no clue about all that James had gone through.
James had dealt with anxiety and depression since his early teens.
He’d been on every medication under the sun, and had spoken with therapists and psychiatrists, but nothing helped.
After attempting to take his own life, James managed to get back on track and started work as a software developer.
But he couldn’t keep it up, and he eventually began to self-medicate and drink too much.
James described himself as “nearly helpless”.
That was before he met Dan Creighton.
Dan, who’s a chief executive officer of Creighton Construction and Development, had seen James around for a few years.
With him being concerned for James’ safety, Dan decided, after a quick discussion with his son Stone, that they should try and help.
James didn’t talk about being homeless.
He kindly refused Dan’s offer to purchase him an electric wheelchair.
He simply told Dan and Stone that he was on his way to his mom’s house.
Dan relented, telling James to reach out if he needed anything, but James didn’t call and Dan didn’t think he’d see the young man again.
Dan, however, was unable to stop thinking about their encounter. Speaking on Humankind, he admitted:
“He inspired me.”
Dan wondered, “how is this guy so content?”
He went out in search of James two weeks later, but couldn’t find him. He thought that was that – James must have moved on.
Amazingly, a couple of years later, Dan spotted James at a bus stop.
He didn’t hesitate to pull over and ask if James wanted a ride. James remembered Dan, and admitted that he was on his way to the Social Security office for help.
James was now facing eviction.
James was currently trying to fight being evicted from his own home for not being able to pay his rent.
What Dan didn’t know at the time was that James had no family support anymore.
Both his mom and dad had passed away after the pair had first met.
Even though Dan didn’t know much about James, he took him to his office and gave him a $10,000 check.
Since then, James has become like a member of Dan’s family and has joined a sobriety program at his local church.
James has turned his life around.
He’s even started up on his main passion, computer work, once more.
Dan even bought James a condo.
It’s located in South Point Villas, just across from the church he attends.
He surprised him with a housewarming party and invited everyone who had grown to know and love James over the years.
The home is completely accessible as the floors flow throughout, so James can use his skateboard to get about.
There were balloons, gifts, a “Welcome Home James” cake, and a buffet table full of food.
The fridge was also fully stocked, according to James.
Dan also created a GoFundMe for James, called “Let’s Make 2020 James Fox’s Best Year Yet”.
The target was set at just over $2,000.
It quickly surpassed $13,000.
James is now settling into his new home and knows he has a lot to thank his friend for.
He said:
“I love you, Dan, and I really can never repay the way you have changed my life with your kindness and generosity.”
One never knows what simple act will produce a change in fate.
It’s hard to say where James would be now had he not accepted that fateful offer of a ride that day.
What we can learn from this is that every choice matters, no matter how small a choice it may seem at the time.
Learn more about how a simple ride turned into an act of fate for James in the video below!
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