Under the Moss: Student Recounts Helping Injured Man

Every other week, Under the Moss captures the stories of the wonderful students, faculty, staff and community members roaming the College’s campus. Their stories remind us why we love CofC.

“I was on my way to lunch when it started pouring rain and I felt a nudge on my back. Expecting it to be one of my friends, I turned around to say something smart, but I turned to see a man on the street, blood everywhere.”

Sean Dalton, a first-year student at the College of Charleston, recounted an unpredictable day at Liberty Street Fresh Food Company over chicken, waffles and a tall glass of astonishment. Earlier that day, the skies opened up and drenched Charleston for nearly 30 minutes. In that short time, Sean crossed paths with Larry, a 75-year-old man, in dramatic fashion.

“I immediately panicked. I had never been in a situation like that before,” says Dalton. “I kept asking him if he wanted an ambulance, but he never responded. He was lying in the middle of the street, getting drenched, so I picked him up and realized why he hadn’t said anything. His nose was clearly broken, as well as his hand, and he could barely walk.”

Sean called 911 and made sure Larry was taken care of by the ambulance.

“And then I walked here,” he says. “My day continued on and no one knew what had happened.”

Sean is a political science major at the College. His goal is to have an internship with a political campaign in 2018. Balancing school work with his social life is hard, he says. But he tries to take advantage of every opportunity the College offers to step out of his comfort zone and meet new people.

He says that he had always struggled with keeping his life in the present while also thinking about his future and impending adulthood.

“At least, before this morning I did,” he says. “Seeing that man, helpless and alone, and being in the right place at the right time to help him made me realize that it’s not just about keeping your life together. It’s about appreciating it at every moment. It’s about paying attention to all of the good things that happen in your life, all of the things that go right, and appreciating them when something goes wrong.”

Lauren Vega is a first-year student from Huntington, West Virginia, studying arts management and international studies in the Honors College at the College of Charleston. She is also a National Merit Scholar, a scholar in the International Studies Program, and a 200-hour registered yoga teacher.