Blue haired shoe salesman uses sign language to connect with boy with autism

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Salesman-sign-language-connect-with-autistic-boy-6872125.php
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Somerville: Kind salesman uses sign language to connect with boy with autism
By Frank Somerville and KTVU 5-6 and 10 pm Published 8:35 am, Saturday, March 5, 2016



This is a beautiful story about what happened when Caden (1st picture) and his mom went into a Famous Footwear in Eureka to buy some shoes.

Afterward she was so touched by the salesman (2nd picture) that she wrote a letter to the company.
I don’t want to give the story away. But if you read about half way through, you’ll understand why Caden’s mom was so overcome with emotion.

It all started after she grabbed several pairs of shoes for her son to try on. Here’s what she wrote:

Caden is slowly getting more uncomfortable and visibly anxious. He starts to take some of the shoes and throw them in the box or in the trash. A worker comes by and asks me if I need any help.

I tell him that Caden is having a difficult time. He immediately starts using sign language with Caden and talking to him. Caden continues to be anxious and sits down on my lap to hug me.

The salesman lowers his voice and looks right at me and says “Autism?” and a lump begins to form in my throat. I can’t get a word out…I’m in the motion of feeling something so strong that all I can do is nod.

He tells me that his nephew has autism and that he gets it. The wall that I put up literally crumbled all around me.

I acknowledged to this stranger out loud that this is a very difficult thing for Caden and any help he could provide us would be wonderful. He sat on the floor with Caden and tried on 4 different Nike’s.
It took a bit for Caden to trust him, but with his knowledge of sign language it was getting easier. Caden helped Michael get the shoes that he had thrown and also the one he put in the trash.
Caden picked the winning shoe and walked hand in hand to the front counter to pay with the salesman.

While he was ringing our purchase up, I signed the receipt and he said that my signature reminded him of a heartbeat. He said it is so evident that your heart beats for this little guy right here.
I was speechless after that.

To Michael, the salesman at Famous Footwear with the blue Mohawk, you made this mom’s heart burst wide open in the car while driving home.

You took the time to see my son. You REALLY SAW HIM. You got down on the floor to his level and made it work. You were calm and patient. And you really wanted Caden to feel comfortable. And we found a pair of bitchin’ red and black Nikes.

BE KIND ALWAYS
Thank you!
Fatima Naylor

[SheilaT]

1. Thank you for posting this.

Sometimes all it takes is a little kindness and patience, and in this case some sign language to make things go right.

[underpants]

2. Nice