This little story may not belong on this forum, but it was such a unique experience I feel I have to share it with somebody.

I have serious mobility issues and I cannot walk any distance at all. For this reason I always need a wheelchair at the airport. Normally the person checking our luggage orders a wheelchair, and eventually a sullen, bored young person shows up with a chair.

Yesterday the man pushing my wheel chair was older. He arrived with the wheelchair and a wooden walking cane wrapped in flashing lights and equipped with a bell. He told me to carry the cane and ring the bell if anyone got in our way. Everyone in the airport seemed to know him. He breezed me right through security, even removing my shoes and putting them back on for me.

He was certainly the most helpful and very kindest person who has ever pushed my wheelchair. I was prepared to provide a large tip, not only for his service but also because I thought it was unfortunate that he needed to work at a minimum wage job at his age.

When I offered the tip he rejected it. Instead he gave each of us a piece of candy and a photocopy of an article on him that the Seattle paper printed last year.

This man, who's first name is Tom, worked for IBM until he was injured in a head-on car crash ten years ago. He suffered brain damage. He has double vision and difficulty walking. The wooden cane is what he uses when he is not supporting himself with the wheelchair. He cannot drive so he takes public transportation from his neighborhood to SEA. It takes him 90 minutes each way to get to the airport and back home again. He works at the airport because he enjoys helping people. He refuses tips because he receives a disability check from social security. He said he was happy. He did not need to join a gym because he got plenty of exercise pushing wheelchairs, and removing his shoes 20 times each day. He did not need anti-depressants because his mood was always brightened by the people he met.

So if you are passing through SEA and you see a wheelchair with a lighted wooden cane, you will know that you have seen a man who truly understands the value of volunteer service. Just meeting him and reading his story made our day!