A disability is not the Identity of the person

My dad is disabled also- he has M.S. This has made me really aware of the inportance of asking before you assist a handicapped person in a non- emergency situation. If I see someone who is struggling with something- I always offer assistance- but I do it like this.

Recent exmple- Woman ahead of me in the condiments area. She is in a wheelchair and is trying to get a straw. She's having trouble and her hands are shaking.

Me. "Excuse me, Ma'am. Would you like a hand with that to save you a little time?"

Her. "Oh, thank you so much. Yes. please. I can do this stuff, you know- but I'm running late already and it's been such a long day."

After I gave her the straw, she thanked me-not just for the straw, but for "Treating me like a PERSON. You won't believe how many people think that if you are in a chair you are deaf and retarded too. And it scares me and makes me angry when people move my chair without asking..."

She gave me a big hug. What a nice lady.


Anon

A Lift

Yesterday I drove an olderly man home from the supermarket. He asked me (as I was leaving with my groceries) if I was going to East Drive. I said no, I was going to the high school to pick up my daughter (other direction). He smiled and said thanks anyway. I took a few steps and then stopped, turned around, and told him it would be no problem to go his direction first. We had a nice talk on the way there. He served in WWII and came to my town in the 40s. And he's voting for Obama! (Yes, we talked about a lot of different things.)

Also, my Girl Scout troop sets up a table to sell cookies at a local retirement center every year. I know that selling cookies isn't a random act of kindness, but we talk a lot about talking with the folks (many of whom get a real kick out of seeing them, and many of whom were Girl Scouts "back in the day") and listening to their stories. And for my RAOK, there were three different occasions when one of the people didn't seem to be able to come up with the right amount of money and I just pretended what they gave me was right and made up the difference later. (I think this also made an impression on the girls, by the way.) No big deal, I'm talking a dollar or two. One woman brought me and one of my girls up to her room to get her money, and searched through all her drawers, finally found her wallet, but couldn't find more than $2. What was I going to do--take away the cookies she was already holding!?


Anon

Sock Saver

Around Christmas time, I passed by a mom, grandma and baby in a stroller. We were at a craft show, so they were looking elsewhere, which meant it was a perfect time for baby to kicky off a sock. I happened to see it fall and returned it to them. The grandma thanked me so profusely, I was almost embarrassed. It was just a sock! And I noticed it right away so it wasn't that I had to chase them down or something.

Anon

Compliments

Never hesitate to give a senior citizen a sincere compliment. My guess is that they don't get as many as they used to.

If I see someone in her 80s, for example, who's obviously put her clothes together carefully that day, I'll mention how nice she looks, or what a good color that is on her. It's small, but it has never failed to brighten up someone's face.

Have you ever received a compliment at a time when you really needed a boost? You can live off it for days.

Anon

Two Heads!

The guy in line ahead of me at the P.O. was short on cash and was going to have to charge $1.47. He was digging throught pocket change- not enough there. I said "It's on me." and put money on the counter. He was very surprised and thanked me with a big smile.

The funny part was the lady at the counter- she kept saying "That was such a nice thing you did!" And the person behind me stared at me like I had an extra head....

Such a big reaction for such a little thing.

Anon

Animal Beds

I bought a whole bolt of fleece (cheap!) and then some super thick quilt batting (with a coupon, of course) and made up a bunch of pet beds. I haven't used it all up yet, but I've dropped off about 20 beds so far. Machine washable, cheery color, hope the animals like them.


Anon

A Gift

On a similar note, my Mother in law died suddenly last month. One of the lovely notes we got was from a childhood friend of my husband's sister. Altough we've never met, she said that Nancy (my MIL) was always talking about me and how talented and nice I am. She also mentioned a Christmas gift Nancy had given her daughter, a scarf and hat. I remember taking Nancy through my wares and telling her to take anything she wanted to give as a gift. I had completely forgotton that she had taken a scarf and hat set. I am so glad to know that the recipient appreciated it.


Anon

Give up your Seats

I pretty much give up my nice warm seat to older ladies and gentlemen nearly every morning. It makes me upset to see them standing and I see people who are waaaaaay younger than I am that should give up their seats... but I really dont mind. If it was my grandparents or parents I would hope someone would do the same.

Anon