Unique Experience at SEA
May 21, 2008 | 2:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta frequent flyer Gold Medallion Status
Posts: 876
Unique Experience at SEA
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!
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!
May 22, 2008 | 9:38 pm
#11
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 27,015
In the this category you will find:
Travel With Children
GLBT
Travel With pets
Disability Travel
& More...
Hope this helps.
BTW, you have a great advocate in Katja, who is the Travel With Disability Moderator.
Dec 8, 2008 | 3:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Nada
Posts: 7,839
Thanks for sharing this story! I've ever seen Tom, but will keep an eye out for him in the future.
I had an unusually helpful TSA agent at SEA once. Helping me gather my things from the check-point, lifting and opening my walker was so refreshing, I went straight to the TSA supervisor station and filled out a customer satisfaction card for him.
I don't need the help (plenty experience as a regular mileage runner), but found his kindness incredible. My usual experience is being surrounded by idle agents who stand there and watch me. Not saying they're their to help, but I'd think it's in their best interest to keep the flow going smoothly. YMMV.
I had an unusually helpful TSA agent at SEA once. Helping me gather my things from the check-point, lifting and opening my walker was so refreshing, I went straight to the TSA supervisor station and filled out a customer satisfaction card for him.
I don't need the help (plenty experience as a regular mileage runner), but found his kindness incredible. My usual experience is being surrounded by idle agents who stand there and watch me. Not saying they're their to help, but I'd think it's in their best interest to keep the flow going smoothly. YMMV.
Dec 8, 2008 | 3:41 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta frequent flyer Gold Medallion Status
Posts: 876
I went through SEA on Oct. 30, and had the good fortune to have this lovely man again. I tried to give him a little money towards his transportation, but he declined. He is an amazing person, and very inspiring for those of us with mobility issues to see this gentleman coping with his own disabilities in this positive way.