Anxious Amy wants to thank Kind Calm Carl for his help on the train

MY name is Amy Gilbert from Leicester; Iam 28 and I am on the autistic spectrum. I am writing to you both as I have just had someone be extremely kind to me while I was distressed and I feel that it is good news for people to know that there are still kind people and that they come from Leicestershire.

Today I had to go on a course in Birmingham for work. When I went to London they let my partner come with me however as this was Birmingham I went with my two colleagues on the train myself which I was both anxious and excited about - I want to show work I can. When it came to coming home they told me if I ran I could get an earlier train. Usually I would be afraid to do so but as my colleagues believed in me I said ok I’ll have a go!

I ran down to Great Central, then realising that actually this was not just a station but lots of shops, sounds, people and the station was downstairs. I kept going and ended up on platform 11b - needing 11a with only 4 minutes to go. By this time I was quite exasperated and asked where was 11a quite loud. The people waiting told me just further up so I kept running.

I made it onto the train and started to have what is known in Autism as a meltdown. Everything felt loud and confusing. All I wanted to do was cry. I couldn’t breathe. Was I even on the right train?

How will I get home? After calling my mother, the phone would not work so I sat down further along the carriage. After the long run I then could not stop coughing - I am a singer and dancer but by no means a runner! At this point the chap next to me asked would you like some water?

This was Carl from Hinckley. He talked to me about how he lectures at Birmingham University, has had some autism training and how his daughter was studying media at college.

I also showed him the song I wrote with my friend from Loughborough Lackyc - wired differently which is about autism. While talking to me, Carl from Hinckley stopped me from screaming, crying, crisis, panicking and being exhausted. In that moment I could not believe how in all the trains in all the world I had got on that one and sat next to that person.

I was then able to call my mother and boyfriend and tell them I was safe and had calmed down. I was able to then get off at Leicester and get a taxi home safely. I do not think either of these things would have been easy if I had got very distressed.

So I am writing to both of you as I really feel that this kindness needs some recognition. People need to know that it still exists and that for every Anxious Amy there is a Kind Calm Carl that can help you and to say a big thank you to him. Amy Gilbert Leicester