A Walkley woman who experienced an attack due to her autonomic illness was rescued by a good Samaritan and is now looking to thank him.
Dee Collins,39, an artist, suffers from PoTS, a condition that causes an abnormal increase in heart rate after sitting or standing. She noticed her lips were getting blue earlier that day and started to go home to take care of it when she has a sudden attack.
Dee Collins
She said: “I felt very dizzy, I could feel my heart pounding and I was afraid of collapsing”.
Luckily she was able to wave down a man nearby who sat with her and gave her hot chocolate to drink as she went through the ordeal.
“I was mortified asking but I thought if I didn’t, I may end up unconscious freezing in the snow”.
Snowy Bike Ride by Denise Jans
The man gave her a ride to the top of the hill, where she was able to get home safely and take her medication.
Through that traumatic incident, Mrs Collins did not get the man’s name or any form of identification and would love to thank him.
“If I could meet him, I would say thank you so much, you have no idea how helpful that was”.
The only physical description she was able to remember is that he has brown curly hair and is average height as he was wearing a mask.
Mrs Collins says she wishes she more people were this kind and had more awareness of this illness as not all health conditions are visible. Websites like www.potsuk.org help raise awareness.
“I’ve fainted in the street before and people have stepped over me. When people see that they just think you’re drunk, they don’t understand.”
Although the illness can be debilitating, it’s not all doom and gloom according to Mrs Collins.
“It’s all about your attitude. I’ve learned to live a full and happy life surrounded by supportive people despite the illness.”
A Plastic Anatomical Heart by Robina Weermeijer