This is Vanese Ferguson with Coffee Talk. I picked up on a thread of posts in a group I follow and at first didn’t really comprehend what was being said but then when I did, I thought yeah, good point. Someone took a picture of a person lying on a bench in a mall. And then the haters piled on. But the person in the picture – and good for them I say – spoke up. They said they have some medical issues and were feeling unwell and dizzy. And pointed out that instead of posting a picture to ridicule someone, perhaps ask if they are okay. Well, the haters are gonna hate although in this instance I think they were outnumbered. You know, the people mocking that there was a medical condition – that kind of thing. I know I’ve had instances maybe due to blood pressure – when my drops significantly compared to what it normally is I can feel discombobulated and while not laying down, I’ve certainly had to suddenly sit down. My point is – figure out if they need help. A couple winters back before the bear spraying epidemic in the city, I was Midtown with a friend and saw a fellow outside not moving, and it was cold. In Saskatoon just call 975-8300, suggest to the police answering that someone may need a wellness check – you know, if you don’t feel comfortable going up and talking to them – and they’ll send someone over. In that instance the fellow was okay, and I was apologizing to the officers for calling them out unnecessarily. They said no problem they’d just left another call around the corner and that person had hypothermia and was on their way to the hospital. So just take a minute and regardless of someone’s circumstance in life, find out if they’re okay.
Your first reaction should be – do they need help
By Vanese M. Ferguson
Apr 8, 2026 | 9:46 AM
Have Your Say
Downtown business owners are concerned about lack of parking, among other things, in the face of change to downtown to accommodate Link and BRT. Do you think the City of Saskatoon should alter their blueprint for the area to accomodate those concerns?
Yes
No
Voting Ends: Apr 10, 2026 | 10:00 AM






















