A Great Story
Random Act of Kindness
By Jamie White and Lauren Churchin
Those who have generously given their time to support an agency or cause have certainly witnessed acts of kindness while performing their own. These acts are the very reason we do what we do. A single act of kindness can resonate louder than even the most motivating speech or moving photograph, and is so powerful that that single act can cause a chain reaction that is often unending. Pay it forward, as the saying goes.
When Arc Case Managers Jamie White and Patrick Koch arrived at the hospital to check on long-time client Peggy, they were anticipating a routine visit. Peggy had been through a rough couple of years, struggling with Phocomelia, a disability caused at birth, and homelessness. Wheelchair bound and relying on the support of hospital staff and The Arc, Peggy needed help fixing what she refers to as “her legs.”
Patrick, always willing to lend a hand, happened to have an extra battery charger in his office and was ready to make the repairs to her wheelchair. However, once he examined the chair, it became apparent that Peggy’s tires were almost completely worn out and needed to be replaced. She was struggling to get around independently and was quite upset at the situation.
As the three were discussing the possibility of trying to get new tires, a woman standing nearby came forward, saying her name was Barbara and she couldn’t help but overhear the dilemma. “How much would the tires cost,” she asked. Patrick gave her a rough estimate of $150. Five minutes later, she came running up with the money.
Barbara said she was fortunate to be able to help and would like, more than anything, to see Peggy on the go in her chair. “I feel lucky to have people in my life that I could lean on if ever in need,” said Barbara, who was visiting her mother in the hospital. Due to her generosity, Patrick was able to purchase the tires and install them the next day.
Barbara’s random act of kindness-giving of herself to another- touched all of our hearts that day. It’s so easy to ignore the problems of others when we have problems of our own to worry about. Then again, it only takes one person to make a change.
