Passengers And Crew Help Mother Of Child With Autism Cope During Tricky Flight Situation

Mar 20, 2020 by apost team

Seemingly regular occurrences can prove more difficult for autistic children, as well as their parents. This was the case for Lori Gabriel, mother to a 5-year-old boy named Braysen, who has autism.

While catching a United Airlines flight, Lori was worried her son could become distressed during the flight, and subsequently inconvenience fellow passengers and crew. The ride didn't prove to be smooth sailing for them, but instead of receiving scorn, it was the positive response from the flight attendants and fellow passengers that surprised her the most.

After boarding the plane, Lori and Braysen found their assigned seats. Immediately, Braysen refused to sit in the chair, and although Lori attempted to explain this was important, Braysen outright refused. He then began to throw a tantrum and scream at the top of his lungs.

The young boy then ran up to First Class and sat down on the floor, reports the Houston Chronicle. Lori tried to explain that he could not do that, but Braysen was adamant that was where he wanted to sit. He then began to mess with the armrest of a First Class passenger, who kindly said it wasn't a problem, but Lori grew increasingly worried, particularly that her and Braysen would be asked to leave the airplane before it even took off.

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But what happened next surprised her greatly. Approached by a flight attendant, Lori felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. But instead of being reprimanded for Braysen's behavior, the flight attendant explained that as long as the fasten seatbelt sign was off, Braysen could sit wherever he wanted on the flight. After Lori explained this to Braysen, he understood and agreed, knowing that he'd gotten what he wanted. 

The mother and son then went back to their seats and buckled up for take off. Once the seatbelt sign was off, Braysen took off back to First Class and sat himself down in the aisle, up near the flight attendants' area. The crew gave him a blanket to use on the floor so that he was comfortable, and for the rest of the flight Braysen was calm and didn't disturb anybody.

Just before the plane began its descent, Lori received a note from a fellow passenger. Worried it would be something negative about her parenting skills, she was once again utterly surprised to read a touching message from a woman. It said: "I commend you for your strength. Do not EVER let anyone make you feel as though you are an inconvenience or a burden." It also went on to say that Braysen is a blessing.

After landing, Lori was so moved by the entire experience –– going from a possible nightmare scenario to a positive and warm one –– that she wrote a Facebook post and thanked the United Airlines attendants, as well as the woman who wrote the touching message to her and other passengers who interacted positively with Braysen. The post garnered many likes and shares, with people positively commenting as well. 

The touching story proves that if people consider others' scenarios for a moment and react in positive and helpful ways instead of with negativity, it will be much easier and better for everybody.

What did you think of Lori Gabriel's moving story? Let us know down below and be sure to pass this touching story on to family and friends.