This is a letter in my local paper published this week written by a grandma, which shows both sides to human nature.
It's a reminder for how we should not judge or jump to conclusions over someones actions as an onlooker, but it is also a reminder of how deep down the kindness of the human spirit can shine through when we see another in distress.
Published in the Prestwich and Whitefield Guide Thursday Dec 15 2011.
I would like to express my extreme gratitude to two good Samaritans whom I encountered on Bury market on Friday November 25.
Our child, now 14 years, has autism and severe learning difficulties.
He has neither expressive nor receptive language and is non verbal.
Having completed our shopping in the Mill Gate Centre, I indicated that it was time to go to the car to go home.
At this point our child became extremely distressed, biting his hand and stamping his feet. His hand was bleeding and he was shrieking.
I was having great difficultly keeping hold of him and the attitude and comments from passers by were so hurtful and unkind I cant bring myself to repeat them, but the words, animal, loony, and not right were some of the less hurtful descriptions articulated.
As I endeavoured to control the situation it slowly became apparent that the source of the problem was video cassettes
Our child loves Disney videos and on the last two visits to the market we have bought videos.
In his mind the expectation had been that once on the market, he would get to choose a video as that is what happened before.
He couldn't understand why this time it was different as I hadn't prepared him for not getting one.
Because of the degree of his disability the care/parent has to anticipate events. Think for two and plan for change.
I had let our child down because I hadn't thought in advance to condition his thinking.
He was distraught but couldn't communicate the source of the distress.
Although I had my debit card and credit cards with me, I wasn't near a cash machine and had only coppers in my purse. I knew if I went to the video stall without cash would rise to another scene but I couldn't explain this to our child or even if I did he wouldn't understand my explanation.
I was in despair and he was still in so much distress.
Just then, a young women who was serving on the bra stall near the exit tunnel asked if she could help.
She was kind and concerned for a child's welfare.
When I explained she asked how much a video would cost and immediately gave me two pound coins.
Another voice behind me added; ''and here, take this. Just in case''
An elderly lady pressed another pound into my hand.
It was then I broke down and cried.
Their kindness and compassion and their willingness to see a child in distress rather than a ''a brat in a strop and in need of a good hiding '' as others had said was such a contrast that my emotional and exhausted state hardly mumbled my thanks.
I hope they both see this letter and I would like them to know that they saved my sanity, restored my badly damaged faith in human nature.
I will treasure their kindness forever, Bless you both.
Grateful Gran.
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