Remembering a Young CT Mom whose fall on stairs in a NY Subway Station will hopefully Move Our Hearts!

On January 28th, 2019, a sudden turn of events claimed the life of a young mother. She was carrying her 1-year-old child in a stroller down steps in a NY subway  and fell. Authorities are looking into all factors about her health and the steps and what may have contributed to the tragic loss and major sounding bell of concern for all about safety. Out of respect for the family, I will not include the mother's name in full but reference her as "Ma Good", though it has been in the papers. Ideally funds can be raised for this family or have been. I will look into that next.

More news about the deficiencies of the transportation system in NYC area compared to Boston MA for instance is being publicized in the news and people following posts on Facebook. The report I saw said 3/4 of the stations in NYC do not have elevators compared to far fewer in Boston (I think 1/4) being without them. Here is a response I wrote and overall the more personal advocacy everyone does to ask for help to prevent injuries or falls, the better. It's hard to think in the moment and to 'stop the flow of traffic' on foot to even think about asking someone.

Maybe pulling over to the side or waiting at the top for a few minutes, even ten, to find someone willing and able to help is the kind of lesson we would all benefit from. I have had many people help me at times, but it's not a given...and I have realized that 'every step on stairs' (and in as one walks along) is important to take with care. There are other posts on this blog www.livfully.org about those things and how to be safer drivers with a game plan (a flight plan even with lots of extra time to get ready, double check what is needed, get to a destination early and with support and report to someone by text or a call that one has arrived..or if one is running late.)

For today, let's remember this family and the greater love of all women braving motherhood, as well as men and others who are partners and support teams for rearing children every step of the way. Big Love and lots of support to all on their journeys of parenthood, helping others, caring for themselves (that's a necessity not a luxury) and thinking of ways to make life easier and better for the whole lot of us... Kindness counts Big Time..and this  tragically heroic woman, whose first name starts with "Ma", will not be forgotten...her last name started with Good..and that has now become a reason for each person to Do More Good In the World (especially to mothers and fathers and children...)... starting with where you are and wherever you go.

Here are some other thoughts I added to a Facebook post about subway safety and resources needing major improvement. I would think there could be a new wave of work and volunteer options to think through this kind of situation..Mostly we need honest help hauling things like strollers (the smallest ones made readily available and maybe even some like 'Citibikes' which can be kept at the top of stairs then have others closer to the actual subways (I realize space is an issue, but many umbrella strollers can be hung on hooks or a pipe above the walking space...just thinking out loud here)

Ideally a couple of people at each station for an hour would see the rush hour times through with helping people...and more people willing to help the next person as a standard way of getting things done...

That said, More safety tips such as carrying stuff vs a child could be reviewed and maybe Two People helping someone with a larger load or child (or two) would make sense. Some people could perhaps be hired locally and have IDs and training..and others could be volunteers...

In terms of getting on and off subways, a lot could be done Voluntarily as more people think and share these ideas...such as letting parents or nannies with kids on first (especially small children, but really any age...) That could show dignity for all. Same with elderly..and the men could actually let women 'go first' on or off the subway when there are options..

Then in terms of seating, maybe more people could let women, kids and elderly have the seats closest to the door they enter (on that side of the subway car) and the men and robust people work their way over to the other side of the car... again all with a mutual goal of courtesy and safety, in memory of this unfortunate woman and many others who have been hurt (or perished) or otherwise been stressed about subways, trains, buses and traffic in general.

Even when in cars, people could 'take it easy' on getting places in record time and be willing to stick to reasonable posted speed limits and less when there's a lot of traffic (such as Rush Hour... have that be Mellow Hour... and add ten or fifteen minutes to one's day --and maybe one's life.)

Forget intentional speeding, passing on the right and being erratic which seems to be a common malady on the roads in the city in packed traffic as well as in more rural areas. Likely that's due to a certain segment of the population... and so the majority of sensible drivers could talk up the new cool way to get from Point A to Point B...alive and well with all passengers and others on the roads having a good experience as well... Thanks for posting...and now this goes on my blog...