We must make an effort to observe a higher level of social sensitivity

On a recent Monday afternoon, I was scheduled to pick up my son from the airport. JFK. I had planned the night before, set a timer for when I should get dressed and leave the house and even accounted for baggage claim time. I would be there right on time! Minutes after leaving the house and just as I’d finished pumping gas, I received a text from my son that his plane had landed.

Needless to say I was in a panic since I hadn't even ventured onto the highway yet. How could this happen? I planned so carefully! I then thought about the fact that we'd purchased the ticket prior to daylight savings time and he returned after. Maybe that accounted for the early arrival? In any event, my son would now have to wait 1 hour for me to pick him up. Thankfully I made it there in an hour, scooped him up and we were on our way. After hanging out in the city for a bit we decided to head home. On our way, I asked if he was hungry and he suggested we go to Chick-fil-A in Norwalk.

Off we went. We arrived with mean appetites and couldn't wait to get in and start grubbing. As we approached the restaurant, I noticed a young man wearing a red jacket accompanied by another young man. I noticed the other young man was wearing headphones and his walk was a little unsteady and he was staring off into the distance. It occurred to me he was developmentally challenged and my heart went out to the two of them because I figured one was the brother or related somehow and they were spending the day together. My senses were heightened immediately and I was very careful to wait until they walked in first, but the young man in the red jacket insisted that I go in as he held the door for me. I thanked him.

Once inside, my son went straight to the line, but I had some trash to throw out so I went in the opposite direction. As I made my way to the line in an effort to join my son, the young man in the red jacket stepped aside so that I would have room to pass. I thanked him. Once we placed our orders, I secured a table as my son went to the restroom. A few minutes later, the young man in the red jacket and his companion were in the dining room looking around for a place to sit and settled on a table just a few seats away from us. I looked up and smiled.

As my son and I enjoyed our meal, and I shoved a chicken BLT down my face, I looked up and over to the young man and we made eye contact briefly. I thought it was nice that he was out having lunch and spending time with his companion. During the course of our meal, my son began sharing a story about his experience with TSA at the airport. The story was funny and in my excitement I exclaimed "They (TSA) must've thought you were retarded!"

The minute, the second, I said it my heart stopped and I could feel all the blood rushing to my face. I suddenly stood still, my son stopped talking and I could feel the young man next to us, glance over. I know he heard me. I was loud, it was clear. I felt so bad, I felt like a big fat loser. I felt like “that” person. What could I do, how could I take it back, how could I make it right? It was out there and I was the offender and it wasn't nice and it most certainly wasn't intentional. But it was ignorant and I should've known better.

As individuals we have to make an effort to be more aware of those around us and to observe a higher level of social sensitivity. I did not mean to offend, nor hurt this young man. In the future, it is my responsibility to behave in a more respectable manner and not use words, terms, phrases that could cause someone else hurt, pain.

Why?

Because it's what the world needs.

Where I STAND