Strangers' kindness leaves Jacqui humbled

Jacqui Acutt, who collapsed while shopping, and her daughter Sarah want to thank the people that helped them in their time of need. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

A trip to the supermarket for Rotorua mother of four Jacqui Acutt last month ended badly for her and her 16-year-old daughter Sarah, but Jacqui says she is overwhelmed at the support she received from strangers.

Jacqui was diagnosed around seven years ago with a condition called basilar migraines, a neurological condition that causes a disturbance in the brainstem or lower part of the brain.

Jacqui says she can suffer from a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, loss of speech and temporary paralysis, but this was the first time she has ever had a turn in public.

"I never know when they're going to hit, and it was around 1pm on Friday, July 3, when my daughter Sarah and I went to Pak'nSave. We were just going to do some shopping, and not long after I got in there I started to feel unwell and the migraine just suddenly came on.

"I collapsed in the supermarket by the freezer section and had a seizure-like episode. I was paralysed and I couldn't talk. Sarah was obviously very frightened, but the people in Pak'nSave, workers and customers, came to help us," she says.

"There were two ladies in particular that I remember who were just so kind to me and just stayed with me the whole time while a guy who was packing the shelves came with a phone and rang the ambulance. There was also another lady that stood with Sarah and comforted her. I haven't had one of these in a place full of people I don't know so it was very frightening, and I wasn't sure how the public would respond, but I was so blown away with the kindness of people, and how they stayed with me and my daughter. "

Sarah says it was an awful experience to witness her mother in that state, but says the strangers who helped made her feel at ease.

"It was terrifying. I freaked out and I was too overwhelmed to think properly. But there was this one lady that came and stood by me and kept saying that I was doing a good job, that I was doing really well, and that mum was going to be okay. It was really comforting."

Pak'nSave Rotorua store manager Colin Close says he is very proud of the way his staff and members of the public responded to Jacqui.

"My team live and work in the community and we really care about the people that come into our store every week. I am so glad we were able to help Jacqui and her daughter to make them feel as comfortable and safe as possible at this scary time."

Jacqui says what could have been a very humiliating experience, has instead left her feeling supported and cared for.

"I don't know who these women are, but I feel like I need to thank them for all their help. I remember being taken away on the stretcher and I can see their faces. I just wish I knew who they were so I could somehow thank them and let them know that they really made such a difference to us that day."