Blind Man Falls Onto Subway Tracks, Saved by Guide Dog; 'I Feel That God Has Something in Store For Me'
Cecil Williams, 61, and his guide dog, Orlando, managed to avoid being killed thanks to Orlando's actions and Williams' quick thinking after they fell onto the subway tracks in Manhattan. Unfortunately, Williams' insurance will not pay for the care of Orlando when he retires, which will be soon, but people are rallying to Williams' side to help keep him and his companion together.
Williams said he felt faint while waiting for a train at the 125th St. station. Orlando, Williams' beloved guide dog, tried to prevent him from falling onto the tracks but was unable to do so and was taken onto the tracks as well. He was apparently unconscious, but Orlando kept licking his face in order to wake him up.
Orlando's efforts were successful, and Williams soon sat up. An official from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) arrived and told him to lie down in the trench. As a train approached, Williams and Orlando took safety and the conductor was able to slow the train but not come to a stop before rolling over the duo. Thankfully they were not hit by the train and were taken to the hospital for minor injuries from the fall.
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"I'm feeling amazed," Williams told the Associated Press. "I feel that God, the powers that be, have something in store for me. They didn't take me away this time. I'm here for a reason."
Unfortunately, Williams also told the AP that Orlando would soon be retiring after working so hard and that because his insurance would not pay for a retired seeing-eye dog, they would have to part ways. Orlando was photographed at Williams' bedside in the hospital, showing their close relationship, and those learning of the story have rallied to keep the two together.
Mark Jacobson started a campaign to raise $10,000 to keep Orlando with Williams, and that goal has been surpassed in just 12 hours. Right now the donations stand at $12,457.00 and Jacobson has said that all the extra money will go to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the same organization that trained Orlando.
