Blind Man's Route Blocked by Construction, Kind Bus Driver Stops To Help Him Cross Road
In the eyes of bus driver Thaddaus Turner, a Milwaukee County Transit System employee, he was simply doing his job.
But to many other eyes in the Milwaukee area, Turner extended care and kindness that went above and beyond his job description when he stopped his bus on behalf of a passenger in need.
Gene Hubbard, 69, has been riding the bus to work for 20 years. He lost his eyesight because of diabetes, but that doesn’t stop Hubbard from making it to his job each day.
On the day Hubbard was riding Turner’s bus, construction work had cropped up along Hubbard’s typical walking route.
The sudden change would mean that Hubbard’s 20-year course would also change, leaving him lost.
“If I don’t have a regular locating point to start from, I may as well be in the middle of the ocean,” said Hubbard.
Without hesitation, Turner knew he could help Hubbard navigate the changes. He put the bus in park, even though he knew traffic would be stuck behind him for the next several moments.
Turner’s concern for Hubbard’s safety trumped any worry about a brief traffic delay.
The 28-year-old escorted Hubbard off the bus and around the construction site, leaving Hubbard at a starting point where he could safely navigate himself to work.
A driver waiting behind the bus noticed the simple, kindhearted action and snapped a quick photo, sharing the story on social media.
Turner has since been the recipient of heartfelt thanks and praise from strangers around the country.
Turner said at that moment, he was only concerned about seeing his passenger to safety.
“I knew I had the traffic behind me stopped because it’s only one-way through there,” Turner said. “My concern was getting him across from the opposite direction.”
Hubbard was thankful for the young man’s assistance and said he’s had other MCTS drivers help him over the years. With no plans to retire, Hubbard will probably have plenty more rides under Turner’s watchful eyes.
“I just can’t say enough about all the bus drivers,” said Hubbard.
While Turner said he didn’t think twice about helping someone in need, his selfless act has made Turner a hero to the Milwaukee community.
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