What would you do if you saw a special needs
child or adult being insulted or mocked? Would you say something?
A Houston Texas waiter, Michael Garcia, did and reminds
us there are courageous people in this country who aren’t afraid to, “Speak up
for those who can’t speak for themselves, for the rights of all who need an advocate. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor [vulnerable] and the needy.” (Proverbs 31:8: Complete Jewish Bible)
Garcia judged righteously. “Milo is such an
angel, he is a gift from God as are all special needs children,” he told Fox
News.
An ignorant customer thought otherwise. ““Special
needs kids should be kept in special places,” said a man who had been seated
next to the table where five year old, Milo, a boy with Down Syndrome, was
eating with his family.
Disgusted with the comment, Garcia refused to
serve the rude customer, defending the boy’s right to sit in a restaurant with
his family and not be subjected to random insults.
Despite his sudden fame from his unselfish act, Garcia
remains humble. “We can’t lose track of what this is about,” said Garcia. “It’s
about Milo, it is about educating ourselves and when people are different, why
should you treat them any different?”
Let’s hope Michael Garcia’s one act of courage has
a domino effect, igniting the duty to advocate for vulnerable citizens who can’t
defend themselves. And to educate the intolerant.
This story brought back
memories of when we lived in an apartment complex. I had brought my
severely-autistic son to the community pool. He was about the same age as Milo—five—at
the time. In the water, he began vocalizing and flapping his hands. An older
woman holding a beer walked over to me. “You shouldn’t bring him out in public,”
she belted. When I asked why, she threw
up her hands and began talking loudly to herself, proving it was her that wasn’t fit to be in public.
2 comments:
Right Kim! Too many inconsiderate people judge and are indifferent to those who have disabilities of whatever sort. We all need to be treated as equals and have compassionate understanding. I remember all the nice people who offered to help and offer assurance when my son has had a anguished meltdown. One particular time, my son began screaming and crying. He didn't like the crowded train and he had an anxiety attack because of it. He then got angry because he felt no one was responding to him, and he turned to me and bit me while he clenched his arms and shoulders. As I gently held him and whispered calming words, a kind man with his son looked at me with those "can I help?" eyes. He commended me for holding strong standing in the crowded train. He said "he will calm" and "I understand." He also told me he has worked with disabled children and knows the process. It was like he told me inside "Hold on to hope." I will never forget the "angels" around us.
I have learned one thing that is highly positive and most important to have in waitress job is patience..! So when you are on job you don't think that the shouting one is young or old he is just a customer!
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