r/SipsTea • u/CurvyChristina • 14h ago

Feels good man They’re still friends

Post image

University of Texas at Austin student Joey Romano, broke his wrist during a skateboarding accident in 2018. He ordered an Uber because he couldn’t afford an ambulance. The driver, Beni Lukumu, refused payment & stayed with him for 6 hours, missing work, to make sure he was okay.

887 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

62 comments sorted by

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22

u/Expensive-Summer-447 14h ago

Orphan crushing machine

53

u/SpadesBuff 14h ago

An ambulance for a broken wrist?

16

u/DestructoDon69 14h ago

Yea that was my thought. Cost aside, even if they were free I still wouldn't opt to take up an ambulance for a broken wrist.

4

u/b000radl3y 14h ago

Also my question.

3

u/P-l-Staker 9h ago

Not ideal, I guess, but if you're miles away from hospital and can't drive, what do you do? Don't forget he was a student. Possibly in a town without friends or family.

1

u/SpadesBuff 8h ago

Call an Uber maybe?

1

u/P-l-Staker 7h ago

Poor people exist though.

-1

u/SpadesBuff 7h ago

Being poor is not an excuse for using emergency services for a non emergency

2

u/P-l-Staker 7h ago

So what do you propose then? Leave a human being to suffer just because they can't get treatment by themselves?

And for the record, ambulances CAN be dispatched for non-emergencies. At least where I'm from. They'll just arrive late for obvious reasons.

1

u/IndianaGeoff 48m ago

Poor or rich, basic problem solving is useful.

6

u/Western-Bowl2011 14h ago

Many people in Austin do not have cars, it's a walking city. At some spots, walking to the hospital might be 40+ blocks.

-11

u/SpadesBuff 14h ago

Maybe try calling an Uber with your unbroken hand?

12

u/Western-Bowl2011 14h ago

...that's what he did? Did you even read the topic?

-16

u/SpadesBuff 14h ago

That's the joke, genius

10

u/Western-Bowl2011 14h ago

You suck at jokes

6

u/Interesting-Cap7775 13h ago

Obviously lol, idk what this guy's on about either XD

-13

u/SpadesBuff 13h ago

I can explain them to you. I cannot understand them for you.

That was another joke.

2

u/P-l-Staker 9h ago

Yeah, do NOT pursue a career in comedy, mate.

17

u/thatfrostyguy 14h ago

Why would you need an ambulance for a broken arm? Unless bone is poking through, it was always a normal car ride

6

u/DurianDear6644 13h ago

There's a reason ever time I do something stupid medically, I always walk to the hospital.

6

u/PartyStuff7913 14h ago

uber driver providing a better premium coverage than an actual insurance.

3

u/IGotDibsYo 14h ago

Turk and JD

3

u/Solivy 6h ago

If you were to call an ambulance for a broken arm out here, the person on the phone would tell you to go to your GP for a referrel and find another way of transport to the hospital, unless the bone is poking out or something.

2

u/abskpr 9h ago

He used his brain to full capacity. It is very difficult to make friends when you are adult. When life gives you opportunities to make friends, grab it with both hands.

1

u/New_Tank_9350 14h ago

Wait, you have to pay for ambulances in Texas? What kind of dystopian shit is this???

20

u/BetApprehensive7064 14h ago

Everywhere in America and they're incredibly expensive

5

u/New_Tank_9350 14h ago

Wtfffffff , there's 300 million of you there rise up against this and demand change to-now not tomorrow or later!!

5

u/vapemyashes 14h ago

They have guns and will kill us on behalf of the rich people

3

u/ElegantCoach4066 7h ago

People don't seem to understand that.

They would slughter us in the streets if we stood up to the oligarchy

0

u/Melkman68 14h ago

And they will get away with it. Because they already are with ICE

2

u/TokiVideogame 10h ago

we demand ambulance slaves!

4

u/ericl666 14h ago

because socialism bad /s

7

u/Western-Bowl2011 14h ago edited 14h ago

My mom had a heart attack at DKR Memorial Stadium. The hospital is 2 blocks away. Her ambulance ride was $4000. Here's a map. "Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium" is DRK. I put a little orange dot where the hospital is. It's a 10 minute walk, I used to park there and go to games all the time as a student.

4

u/Nooge62 14h ago

Wait, it took six hours in hospital for a broken bone???

3

u/Eagle4317 14h ago

You have to pay for an ambulance everywhere in America. And the costs are outrageous, because it’s legalized extortion

3

u/LaZZyBird 14h ago

lol if you want to financially ruin someone call the ambulance

if you want them gone you call ice

if you want them kirked you call the police

1

u/New_Tank_9350 8h ago

Well look on the bright side at least it's been some time since Kirk said something stupid!!!!

1

u/New_Tank_9350 8h ago

Don't even tell me that you have to tip the ambulance drivers?!! That will be peak capitalism'

1

u/ElegantCoach4066 7h ago

I'm in FL and you have to pay for the ambulance here too.

It was about $1000 a few years ago last time my mom went.

1

u/punsnguns 14h ago

Damn! Phone-a-friend got a new meaning here.

1

u/ScroogeMcDuckFace2 14h ago

a true bro. salute.

1

u/Intelligent_Box_8247 14h ago

that's a wonderful gesture...he shall be rewarded by the universe

1

u/Samosakhalobhai 14h ago

A true freind indeed

1

u/AlternativeAd8178 14h ago

The ER is still gonna loot him 🫩

1

u/Mean_Rule9823 14h ago

Playing the long game for a big tip

1

u/[deleted] 13h ago

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1

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1

u/onsikimpie 13h ago

I would just say: Nah man don't worry about the money, y'know what for payment just dap me up...

1

u/Interesting-Cap7775 13h ago

The duality of man 🗿

1

u/_VanillaCove 13h ago

Unexpected friendship was born

1

u/yourcutieheart 11h ago

amazing story of a good human being🥰

0

u/PM_THE_REAPER 11h ago

So glad to live in a country where I don't have to consider that. Severed my quad tendon. Ambulance picked me up. Had an op, given meds and put in a full leg brace, so couldn't get in a car let alone drive. Patient transport took me home and when they needed to see me for progress, picked me up and took me home again.

Total cost: 0

3

u/stewedstar 6h ago

Total cost is not 0, it’s paid for with taxes…

1

u/xIViperIx 4h ago

That's wholesome! Kudos to the driver.

1

u/TrueWillingness3707 3h ago

This is gods work 🔥🔥🔥🔥

1

u/ClarkSebat 14h ago

Fix healthcare

1

u/Professional-Bad302 14h ago

An Uber driver providing significantly better, more compassionate bedside care and emotional support than a multi-billion dollar healthcare network.

1

u/AdFull578 13h ago

"Feels good man." Honestly, nothing warms the heart quite like a beautiful story of human connection that is entirely fueled by systemic economic failure.