This Ontario resident wants more transit services to adopt the sunflower pin. But what does it mean?
CBC
Alim Nathoo has no problem telling people he's on the autism spectrum and when he did just that to a service manager on board a Via Rail train, he was relieved to be met with kindness.
The 36-year-old Mississauga, Ont., resident was returning home from a trip to Windsor in August when he met Andre Bergeron-Lekman.
"He asked me how I was," said Nathoo, adding that Bergeron-Lekman also helped him figure out where to put his luggage.
"He said if there's anything I need, come and speak with him."
The pair also bonded over their shared love of Super Mario Bros. characters after Bergeron-Lekman pointed out that he liked the themed socks Nathoo was wearing.
It may not seem like much, but it was exactly what Nathoo needed.
"The reason why I think it's very important just to be kind and to make people feel accommodated and welcome is it just makes it easier as well as better for us when it comes to situations that we may not know how to handle, anything that could be considered awkward for us, because for me I'm socially awkward myself," he said.
"I sometimes have a hard time reading non-verbal cues, such as social and people cues sometimes. And when people are more verbal and direct, it helps me a lot."
Bergeron-Lekman says being recognized for his kindness has been "humbling."
"For me, it's a regular Tuesday. Giving time and attention to our customers is part of what I do every day," he said.
"The concerns that he was expressing [about his luggage] is something that anyone may have concerns with. Especially if you're a first time traveller, sometimes things that may seem commonplace or insignificant to someone may be deeply anxiety inducing to another."
And while Nathoo is comfortable talking about his diagnosis with people, he understands that others with disabilities might not be. It's why he wears a sunflower pin, which is gaining traction as a universal symbol that indicates someone has a hidden disability.
On the day he met Bergeron-Lekman, Nathoo was wearing his sunflower pin.
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