Everyday hero: Vicki helped make Tracy’s dream of being a flight attendant come true!
Tracy Sharp always longed to be a flight attendant, but having Down syndrome, it seemed impossible…until an angel came along and gave her wings to fly!
“Welcome, everyone!” Southwest Airlines flight attendant Vicki Heath exclaimed as Linda Sharp, her husband, Terry, and their 35-year-old daughter, Tracy, boarded a plane in Houston for their flight home to Sacramento, California. Tracy, who has Down syndrome, shot Vicki a big smile, then, taking her seat, she watched wideeyed as Vicki made her way up and down the aisle, tending to passengers. Noticing Tracy’s intense interest, Vicki stopped to say hello.
“Do you like to fly?” she asked Tracy with a smile.
“Yes!” Tracy nodded, enthusiastically.
“She’d actually love to do your job,” Terry grinned.
“I’m sure you’d be great at it!” Vicki enthused.
Each time Vicki passed, she would stop and chat with Tracy, thrilling the young woman. When they landed, Terry thanked Vicki and snapped a photo of Tracy with her new friend as a keepsake.
Giving Terry her cellphone number, Vicki asked him to send her the picture. Then she asked for their phone number and address. Terry couldn’t imagine why she’d want it, but she’d been so kind, he happily gave her the information.
Shortly after, a package arrived for Tracy from Vicki, containing goodies, like sunglasses and a cap embossed with the airline’s logo.
What a sweet gesture, Linda and Terry marveled.
And they were even more surprised when a few weeks later, Vicki called during a layover in Sacramento and invited the family to breakfast. Tracy loved seeing her special flight attendant friend again and bubbled with excitement when Vicki presented her with a Southwest wings pin with her name on it.
“Oh!” Tracy gasped, clutching the pin like a treasure.
As they said goodbye, Vicki grinned mischievously, promising she’d be in touch soon. And a few weeks later, she visited again. Handing Tracy an official Southwest ID badge, she asked, “How would you like to be my assistant on a flight?” “Yes!” Tracy exclaimed. On August 31, 2018, wearing a Southwest Airlines uniform adorned with her wings and ID badge, Tracy stood beside Vicki and happily greeted passengers—her proud mom and dad among them— as they boarded a plane that had been decorated with streamers and balloons. Then during the hour-and-a-half flight from Sacramento to Seattle, Linda and Terry watched in joyful amazement as Tracy handed out drinks and snacks with ease. At the end of the flight, all the passengers applauded their wonderful flight attendant, and Tracy boasted a 100-watt smile.
Today, Vicki and Tracy are still good friends.
“I will never know why God chose me to befriend Tracy, but He did,” says Vicki. “I’ve learned it doesn’t take much to make somebody happy…and it brings you amazing joy too!”
Terry beams remembering his daughter’s special flight. “Her self-confidence has expanded,” he shares. “This has been an amazing miracle.”
Linda agrees. “I think God meant for Vicki and Tracy to meet,” she smiles. “We consider Vicki not only a part of our family, but our angel too!”
Diane Nichols