It was MLK Day, January 20 and GLIDE was open only for breakfast. We were serving prime rib and eggs. I was downstairs in the kitchen. I didn’t notice this guy come in, at first. But I noticed he was eating rapidly; I mean, he was scarfing down his food like there was no tomorrow. It was shortly after that I left the kitchen, that GLIDE Meals Navigator Diane Truong came running to me, telling me there is a man choking.  

I ran back. Four co-workers attempted to pad him on his back. But the man was not responding. His face started turning purple. That’s when I knew it was time to spring into action. His body was getting weaker. And he collapsed to the ground. I looked into his face and knew he was about to die. 

I picked him up. He bent over. This is the first time I performed the Heimlich maneuver. Now I’m certified in CPR. And I have saved lives using Narcan. But I put my all into it. This guy was only about 5’2, 120 pounds, maybe. I’m 6’2, and 270 pounds.  

He seemed very light to me. But it hit me afterwards. I started realizing that this was not the first time this man had put his life in jeopardy. But I knew that if I was unsuccessful in getting that giant piece of meat stuck in his upper airway, he would have died.

If I had not been there at GLIDE on that day, this man would not be alive right now. And you have no idea how good it feels to have saved this man’s life.  

Four people tried to save him. And now it was up to me. And I succeeded. I had never seen this guy before. Ever since, he makes the effort to come by and see me every day for lunch and thank me. I feel like I’m an angel to him. It feels good; I won’t deny it. But I’m happier that he seems to be more thankful for his life.  

I found out he’s a Vietnam vet. His name is Kendall Davis. He’s been kicked out of his housing or transitioning into other housing for years. Without a steady place to live, he’s been juggling so many things, and that’s why coming to GLIDE for his meals has helped him so much.  

I look forward to coming to work every day at GLIDE. What I’m doing now is what I was born to do. You get such an adrenaline rush when you save a human being’s life. It makes coming to GLIDE even more exciting. You want more out of life yourself!   

I thank God for giving me the wisdom to be alert to my surroundings and being able to act fast enough and respond to situations like these, all the while staying calm. Prior to coming to GLIDE, I was busy saving lives using Narcan at SF Public Works. So I’m no stranger to it.  

Christopher’s Story of Recovery and Employment at GLIDE  

My day starts at 4:30 am here at GLIDE. I’ve been working here since September 2024. Since I was 17, I was an alcohol and crystal meth addict.  

When I came to SF, I knew I had to check myself into rehabilitation and visited St. Anthony’s. I did some training at the San Francisco Pit Stop. But whenever I was hungry, I went to GLIDE.

Once afternoon for lunch, while I was there, I saw Donna LaSala (GLIDE’s COO/CIO) pass by. And not knowing who she was, I asked her about employment. I told her I had de-escalation training. She told me to fill out an application. I had a phone interview and before I knew it, GLIDE offered me a job. 

I’ve been sober for three years now. Put your pride to the side, is what I say. I’m 43. I’m not ashamed of my past. I don’t have a foggy mind anymore and no longer do I have the urge to vomit or feel nauseous. I feel blessed. 

Christopher Medina
GLIDE Community Safety Monitor