On Nov. 15 of last year, I was leaving South Hills Village mall when I lost my footing on a curb. I fell and hit my head, hard.

I was lucky to have two strangers stop to help me. Little did I know just how fortunate I would turn out to be.

The man and the woman firmly ignored my request to let me just get up and proceed to the T station. They knew that I needed immediate medical attention.

The woman parked her SUV in a way that shielded me from traffic and passers-by, and covered me with a wrap so that I would stay warm. The man called 911 and acted on its instructions not to let me move.

They both stayed with me until the ambulance arrived.

At UPMC Presbyterian, I was found to have bleeding on my brain. Emergency surgery was performed.

If those two people had let me go up and go on my way, I would not be here to write this letter.

I didn't get your names. Wherever you are, let me say to you, with no exaggeration:

Thank you for saving my life.

-- PAULETTE DOBROVOLSKIS, South Side

I am a school bus driver for special needs students in the Upper St. Clair School District. On the morning of Feb. 1, because of a freezing rain that we had during the night, everything was covered with a sheet of ice. While one of our students was being helped to the bus by both her mother and aunt, I, along with the bus attendant who cares for the students while I am driving, saw both the mother and her daughter slip and fall on the icy driveway.

The bus attendant, Amy Walker, immediately went to help. She first helped get the student to her feet, and I then took over (only after slipping and falling on the icy driveway myself) and got the student onto the bus and seat belted. Meanwhile, Amy and the aunt were attempting to help the mom, with no success.

While all of this was happening, a kind-hearted gentleman had pulled his car over and came to our rescue.

He first helped the mother to her feet and, after making sure that she was all right, walked her back into her house. He then returned to escort the aunt safely over the ice and back into the house as well.

We asked him his name, but he was too modest to give it. He truly did come to our rescue that morning and we owe him a sincere debt of thanks.

It is nice to know that in this day and age of no one wanting to "get involved," there are still some who care enough to put others first.

-- BEVERLY MOODT, Bethel Park

Something really nice has happened and I thought Pittsburghers would like to hear about it.

I am a 108-year-old resident at the Charles Morris Nursing Home. I recently developed a painful dental problem. I notified my dentist, Dr. Clinton Runco. He had to see me, but would not permit me to go out in the inclement weather.

His plan of action was this: He and his No. 1 assistant, Carolyn, came to me, to see what was bothering me. In five days, after I took the medication he prescribed, he and Carolyn came back and finished working on the bothersome tooth. I feel fine now.

In all of my years, I have never heard of a dentist coming to his patients to give relief. Therefore, I wish to thank Dr. Runco and his wonderful assistant, Carolyn, for their compassion and expertise.

-- EVELYN KOZAK, Squirrel Hill