Stick Together...Help Someone Climb the Hill

I think I did my good deed for the week...
I was at work today and I overheard a coworker talking on the phone. The conversation was obvious to me, but I'm not sure others would have picked up the on the relevance and resonance (and even urgency) it had for me and for her:

"Well, he's very reliable and punctual"...
"Yes, as long as you give him clear instructions, he will be able to follow and do what you need him to do"...
"His case worker can give you all the details of his work history"...
"Well, no he has seizure activity, so we can't get a license for him"...

I already knew this woman was caring for an adult on the autism spectrum, we have talked in the past, so we know each other's general situations. I guess if someone else was really listening, they would have picked up all of the things in the conversation. But I am sure that they would not have known what this conversation REALLY meant to her. I haven't been following her situation that closely. But I know about the challenges that adults on the spectrum face getting and keeping a job; and the caregivers' challenges trying to arrange for them to get to live a more independent life. I just knew this was one of those 'little' moments that needed recognition. I sent her this quick email:

Sorry to eavesdrop before...
Don’t know how to properly say it, but thanks for taking on his challenges to try and get him to a place in life where he can be somewhat self sufficient. I read about issues online with autistic people and their parents/caregivers fighting an uphill battle getting everything from housing to jobs to health care. I forget sometimes that you are ‘in the trenches’ fighting with the rest of us. If you hit a wall somewhere, don’t hesitate to bounce it off me; I may be able to point you at resources that you hadn’t thought of or known of. You have a lot more knowledge about his specific situation than me; but you never know what I may have picked up talking within the autism community.

Again, sorry for hearing the personal call and reacting to it, but you know, we have to all stick together…

About an hour later, she walked by my desk and quietly said:

"You know, if it weren't so politically incorrect, I'd give you a great big hug right now...thank you!"

"Well some body's got to give recognition when it's deserved" was what I replied.

Sometimes, your instincts are right on the money. I'm not sure I was the cause, but she was in a very happy mood the rest of the day. I'm glad I could give someone else a little extra push up the mountain; it's a long way, and it's good to show people that it's worth the effort.