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An Act of Kindness at Kentucky Kingdom

By Emilie Yochim August 21, 2016
Have you ever been out in public and had the behavior of a stranger’s children totally shock you? That’s what happened to Stephanie Skaggs during a recent family outing to Kentucky Kingdom.

Stephanie and her five-year-old daughter, Baylee, were standing in line, as you do at the amusement park, waiting their turn. Waiting patiently is hard enough for any five-year-old kid, but for Baylee, it can be totally overwhelming. Baylee has autism, and is mostly non-verbal. The task of having to wait can be very difficult when your brain tells you to keep going, but you have to stop. Mom and daughter were practicing their much-needed routine of how to wait their turn. The more Baylee used her “waiting” routine, the easier it became for her to understand the process.
 
However, a slight change to that routine can feel like the end of the world for a child like Baylee. And unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. Kids started cutting in line, which interrupted her routine. Children with autism rely on routine. Everyone hates change, but when your brain relies on that next step, and the next step is broken, it is hard to function. And when a child with autism shows the frustration of that break in routine, people stare and judge. 

But right before that next step was removed, something shocking happened. Another young girl waiting in line looked up at Stephanie and offered for Baylee to go ahead of her in line. Stephanie wasn’t sure what sparked the girl to do this. Baylee hadn’t begun to get upset yet. In fact, this girl stepped in exactly at the right time to prevent it. Befuddled yet gracious, Stephanie thanked the girl, and mom and daughter moved on.

With the park being busy, it was no surprise that they found themselves in the same situation again. The routine was bound to be broken. And again, as if right on schedule, a young boy offered his space to Baylee to go ahead of him. Of course mom stood there amazed at the kindness of two different children. 

Stephanie eventually saw the two children together and assumed they were sister and brother. She went up to them and told them how much their kindness meant to her. She then had the children point out their mom and approached her. Stephanie explained to the mom about Baylee, the kindness of her kids, and commended her on her parenting. The mom was reluctant to accept the praise. She couldn’t comprehend that the small acts of kindness that her children performed were key in helping Baylee feel a part of society. 

This story was shared on social media by Stephanie in hopes to reconnect with this family who helped them enjoy their day at the park. She was successful in finding them, and the two families are planning a reunion to get to know each other better. 

This is what life should be all about. Helping one another survive in this world. Put aside our differences. Look past those things, and treat each other with kindness.