NOT long ago I had a bad fall and damaged my hip. I was taken to Poole Hospital where they inserted a steel pin the next day.

I was so keen to get out of hospital and do for myself. This I have done in leaps and bounds with daily walks.

I began with two crutches. Very slowly taking a ten minute walk (there and back), within over one hour.

I then progressed to a shopping trolley, lent to me by a friend. I found this much better as I was using my legs. With the crutches, I was only using my arms.

However, the main point of my letter to you, is that for a one time sad experience for me, I did find that a very high majority of local residents did consider my predicament. Not just car drivers but also pedestrians.

When I hobbled up, either with my crutches or my shopping trolley, and the busy car drivers saw this – they just stopped, often blocking both carriageways so as to not let anybody else through.

Ordinary pedestrians along the street made way for me, opened doors that I needed to enter in order to daily shop. The shop assistants too were so very helpful. This attitude was from all ages, young and old.

Okay, it wasn’t always like that.

One time at the Staples dual carriageway when I was crossing on crutches, a young girl in a flashy car sped right in front of me.

It’s a good job I stopped halfway across. Then at Asda, I was slowly heading towards the kiosk. This lady saw it as her chance to overtake me, which she did.

The lady in front of her caused so many problems at the till, she gained nothing in time.

Very soon I will be back to normal. My doctor told me I can drive in three more weeks. I too feel I am progressing well day by day.

Yet, my mind-set always makes me think the good can come from bad. I have never been in this situation before but I am so glad of the experience. The majority of Bournemouth people are so decent when it comes to caring for others less fortunate than them.

I must admit, it moves me to tears to now know that.

CHRISTINE PETERS, Wellington Road, Bournemouth