I just encountered a gentlemen with a disability in the airport. I would say he was in his fifties. I heard him coming. He was saying the most cheerful ‘hi’ to every person he passed. I noticed he was mostly being ignored. Which I guess isn’t all that uncommon. When a stranger says hi it’s probably common to ignore.
When he said hi to me I gave him the most cheerful hi I could give. He stopped walking and asked if I was flying somewhere today. I smiled and said YES. He smiled and asked where.
‘There is snow in Minnesota!’
We chatted for a few more minutes and then we each went on our way.
As I started walking again I could hear him saying, ‘hi’ again.
The tears flooded my throat. I immediately thought of Cooper.
My son is thirteen. He is quirky. He is loud. He is busy. He doesn’t understand social norms. He’s just Cooper. Happy, Cooper.
He waves to every person he sees. Waving is his favorite. Especially to semi truck drivers and the folks who work at McDonald’s and Starbucks drive thru windows.
Most people don’t wave back. Which encourages him to wave harder.
I wonder what he will be like when he’s 50. When he’s no longer considered a child. When he’s a man.
Will people be kind to him? Will they be patient with him? Will they enjoy him? Will they wave back?
The thoughts and worries we have as special needs parents.
