What an American Airlines Employee Did For a Passenger With Autism Will Make You Cry
 

https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/f...1496942169.jpgAir travel is rarely fun for anyone, but for those dealing with difficult conditions, it can be especially stressful. Russell Lehmann, a man with autism who is a "speaker, author, and advocate" shared a touching personal story on Facebook about his recent experience flying. After having a flight delayed and missing his connection for the second time in two days, he succumbed to what he described as "the worst meltdown" of his life at the Re**-Tahoe International Airport. David, a man who Lehmann says works for American Airlines, found him curled up behind a ticket counter in a state of extreme distress.

"I was crying my eyes out, rocking back and forth as my muscles convulsed at a rapid pace. Sweating profusely, I was hyperventilating while my body shook in terror. David calmly approached me, and with the utmost compassion, he asked me what was wrong. I was barely able to get any words out. I believe I mumbled the words 'I don't k**w. I can't think, I have autism,'" Lehmann recounted.

The American Airlines employee assured him that there was a way to get Lehmann to Cincinnati, where he was due to speak the next day.

"During a time of indescribable mental torment and anguish, this man showed me compassion. This man showed that he cared."

"During a time of indescribable mental torment and anguish, this man showed me compassion. This man showed that he cared. Hell, he even offered to buy me a slice of pizza for lunch! David offered to reroute my flight, and he gave me some time to think about it, for I told him that I was afraid of exacerbating my symptoms by boarding a**ther flight, i.e. a tightly enclosed space filled with vast amounts of stimuli," he said.

Then, David went above and beyond to make Lehmann feel comfortable e**ugh to fly. He returned with the actual pilot of the plane that Lehmann had the choice of boarding. David had **tified the pilot, along with the entire crew of his situation, and David actually took it upon himself to clear a whole row of seats so that Lehmann could have space to himself for the flight.

"The pilot was also incredibly kind, reminding me that what I was experiencing only added validity to the message I spread. To the lives I touch. I ended up deciding to board the flight. I was the very first to board, and David walked onto the plane with me, introducing me to the flight crew one by one. I was still shaking and crying, but this time I was crying tears of thankfulness. If it hadn't been for David, I would **t have gotten on that plane."

Russell Lehmann's story is a snapshot of someone showing compassion through a few simple acts of kindness and proves what a huge difference small gestures can make. "This post isn't about autism," said Lehmann, "It's about doing the right thing. About being a good person. About accepting others and reaching out your hand to someone in need, even if they are a total stranger . . . Show what you're made of. Give a damn . . . Be brave and open your heart. Fulfill your moral duties as a human being. Be like David."



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