Colwood great-grandfather Ken Johnson isn鈥檛 one to spend time feeling sorry for himself.
The day after he was beaten unconscious while trying to help a man lying on a Langford sidewalk, the 85-year-old was back on his feet doing what he loves most 鈥� giving back to his community.
Bruised, with seven staples in his head, but undeterred, Johnson showed up to volunteer with the Maritime Museum at BC CrabFest in Victoria.
鈥淚 had that obligation, and I made that obligation,鈥� said Johnson defiantly.
Johnson was seriously assaulted on the evening of June 28. He was walking to a home improvement store on Veterans Memorial Parkway when he came across a man lying across the sidewalk.
Strewn near the man were empty liquor bottles, signs of drug use and inhalants, noted Johnson.
When the man did not seem to be responsive, Johnson called 911, who told him to roll the man onto his back. But when Johnson tried to do so, the man suddenly woke up and attacked him, knocking him to the ground.
The great-grandfather then lost consciousness as he was punched and kicked by the man he had tried to help.
鈥淲hen I woke, he was picking up my cellphone and running away with it 鈥� and I was covered with blood,鈥� recalls Johnson.
West Shore RCMP were soon on the scene, taking Johnson to hospital where he was treated for his injuries, including a bleeding head wound.
His assailant was quickly apprehended and Johnson鈥檚 cellphone was returned.
Speaking to Goldstream Gazette July 10, Johnson said he is quickly moving on from the distressing ordeal.
鈥淚鈥檓 well recovered 鈥� I had the seven staples in the scalp removed yesterday, and the bruises have all kind of disappeared,鈥� he says.
鈥淎nd this is all fading into the background of a glorious life.鈥�
He also holds no animosity towards the man who attacked him, who he believes was in an 鈥渁ltered state of mind,鈥� possibly under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
鈥淚 would say there's forgiveness there,鈥� says Johnson. 鈥淲hen you're in that state of mind 鈥� your thoughts are impaired, and you may be in a hallucinatory state.
鈥淗e may not have saw me 鈥� he may have saw something quite different.鈥�
In recognition of his bravery, kindness, and compassion, Johnson was presented the Officer in Charge Certificate of Appreciation by West Shore RCMP鈥檚 Supt. Todd Preston.
He hopes the award will be an inspiration to his five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
鈥淚t's always nice to be able to show your grandchildren that while helping people can have its risks, one has to take certain risks in life,鈥� he says.
And Johnson means every word 鈥� if faced with the same situation again, he says he'd do it all over again, without hesitation.
鈥淚 find that society today tends to look at people who are down on the street as being all subject to addictions,鈥� Johnson says. 鈥淲ell, that person could have had a heart attack or a stroke 鈥� I can't judge that just by looking at them.
鈥淚 certainly encourage the public to care for all your fellow human beings, that's all one could ask. You may have to exercise a little more prudence, but certainly don鈥檛 hesitate.鈥�
Determined to stay focused on the good in life, Johnson has turned his energy back to serving the community.
As well as volunteering for the Maritime Museum, Johnson volunteers for the Hallmark Heritage Society and for the City of Colwood鈥檚 Heritage Commission, where he is the current chair. He also recently joined a protest against the proposed redesign of Victoria鈥檚 Centennial Square.
For an 85-year-old, he鈥檚 certainly showing no signs of slowing down.
鈥淓ighty-five is when you should be busy 鈥� you鈥檙e running out of time,鈥� he joked.