I Delayed My Flight for a Stranger—and I’d Do It Again

<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">Today&comma; I chose to delay my flight on purpose&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">And from now on&comma; I’ll always fly with American Airlines&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">Here’s why&colon; While I was on the phone&comma; getting ready to find my gate&comma; I saw a man named Will K&period; lying on the floor&period; He didn’t look well—he was in distress&period; I could tell something was wrong&comma; but I wasn’t sure what&period; After asking him a few questions&comma; I decided to call for medical help&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">As we waited for the airport medical team&comma; Will kept saying he was scared he’d miss his flight&period; That’s when I realized—he was probably autistic&period; So&comma; I changed my approach&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">I reassured him about his flight&comma; and we called his mom to let her know what was happening&period; The medical team at Dallas Airport checked on him&comma; and after talking with his mom &lpar;who confirmed he was autistic&rpar; and American Airlines&comma; they said he needed food and water&period; They were worried he might get sick again and weren’t sure if he should fly&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">I spoke with American Airlines and the medical team and told them I’d change my flight&comma; have lunch with Will&comma; and make sure he got to his flight safely&period; American Airlines didn’t charge me anything to change my ticket&period; While we ate&comma; they even called me to let me know his gate had changed&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">When I took him to his gate&comma; the American Airlines staff made sure he was okay&comma; checked on him&comma; and helped him board safely so he could see his mom for Christmas&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">Today didn’t go as planned—but it turned out even better&period; I had a great lunch with a kind young man from Louisville&comma; Kentucky&period; I don’t know him well&comma; but I do know he has a heart of gold and a loving family&period; After texting with his mom&comma; I could tell she loves him just as much as he loves her and his sister&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">American Airlines handled everything with care and professionalism&period; The medical team and police at Dallas Airport were also amazing&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">Sometimes&comma; we all need a little help—no matter our age&comma; ability&comma; or background&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">Thanks for making my day&comma; Will&excl;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"q-text qu-display--block qu-wordBreak--break-word qu-textAlign--start">Credit&colon; Shaina Murry and &commat;thingswelovetosee<&sol;p>&NewLine;