No matter who we are, we can always look after somebody, especially the most vulnerable.
Whenever we hear heroic stories, we often expect larger-than-life characters who do extraordinary things. But in reality, all it takes is compassion and care toward another person.
One such feat was done by a mail carrier in a town where everyone knows everybody. And by being attentive to details and her gut, she became a hometown hero.
Kayla Berridge was on her usual mail run when she noticed something strange.
She passed by a resident’s home when she saw that mail has been piling up at the address. She estimated that the unattended mail was already four days old. Some may have just driven on, but not Berridge.
A mail carrier for four years, Berridge knew that something was wrong. She said to CNN that she hasn’t seen the woman in a while, especially when the old lady would sometimes chat her up whenever she delivers mail.
For the first time in her career, Berridge called for a wellness check. It is a way for service workers to intervene, especially for people who live alone. Service workers constantly encounter them so they can notice if something is amiss.
Thankfully, Berridge made the right decision.
Lt. Wayne Stevens told CNN that the first responders heard a faint cry coming from inside the house when they knocked on the door.
An officer who has visited the woman before gained entry. The responders found the old woman in her bedroom.
She was sprawled on the floor with art materials, like frames and canvas, on top of her. The police believe that the woman was trying to grab onto the bed to help her up but things fell on her instead.
The woman was taken to the hospital.
According to reports, the old woman suffered from hypothermia and dehydration, given that she stayed on the floor for at least three days. Her family said that she was recovering well, however.
One can only imagine the horror of calling for help but no one was coming to assist. Fortunately, she has a neighbor who cared about her and her well-being.
According to Berridge, it’s all about paying attention to details.
While it was her first time calling for a wellness check, she said that there had been close calls. Service workers like her look for subtle yet obvious signs – car parked on the driveway for a very long time, no outgoing mail, or in this case, mail piling up.
The local police also shared that this wasn’t the first time they responded to a wellness check but conceded that it was rare for them to find someone who actually needed help.
While people are considering her a hero, Berridge insisted that it’s just how things are in their town.
“Newmarket is a great little town,” Berridge said to the news outlet. “Everyone has each other’s backs.”
“Without a doubt, she saved this lady’s life,” Stevens told CNN. “That’s part of being a letter carrier in a small town and taking your job to the next level. She did a great job.”
Watch how this mail carrier saved a woman’s life when she noticed mail was piling up.
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