If you have elderly family members who live alone, you may sometimes be concerned about their well-being. Are they able to do their laundry, go grocery shopping, and cook meals? These are some of the common worries one might have.
Perhaps one of the least likely concerns one might have for an older family member is “can they protect themselves from rape?” And, well, that’s normal.
Needless to say, I was overwhelmed when I discovered the story of a man who broke into the home of an 88-year-old woman… and tried to rape her.
Helen Reynolds, 88, was alone in her home when a young man knocked on her door claiming to be a neighbor. He asked her for a glass of water.
The man then pushed his way into her apartment and rummaged through her belongings, looking to rob her. He stole 40 euros from her purse… but he didn’t stop there. He tied Helen’s mouth and hands and then proceeded to undress her. It was clear he intended to rape her.
Helen tried to kick the man between the legs, but when she failed, she knew she had to use her head. That’s when she came up with three magical words to make the man stop and quickly flee: “I have HIV.”
“I told him I had HIV, and that my husband had died from it. It was a lie,” the quick-thinking 88-year-old told NBC.
The man left Helen’s apartment and there have been no arrests related to the crime.
“I have nothing good to say about him. Nothing. Put the idiot in prison and keep him there,” Helen adds.
Watch the news report below about the incident.
It’s absolutely terrible that there are crazies like the one in this story, but luckily Helen’s quick thinking saved her. The story she came up with is something more women should definitely try in the rare event something like this happens to them. Share this story with others to spread this advice and also, to pay tribute to this brave 88-year-old.
