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Tim, a blind and deaf man, boarded a six-hour flight with Alaska Airlines, travelling from Boston to Los Angeles by himself
He struggled onboard as no one was able to communicate with him – until a 15-year-old grabbed his hands
After flight attendants called out for anyone speaking sign language (or, more accurately, tactical sign language), Clara Daly came to Tim’s assistance to talk to him the only way he knew how – with his hands
Signing each individual letter, Clara was able to sit with Tim and have a conversation with him
Her heartwarming act caught the attention of a fellow passenger Lynette Scribner who documented the whole thing
She wrote not only of Clara’s kindness but also the flight attendants willingness to help Tim
‘The flight attendants sincerely wanted to assist him, but had no way to communicate’ she wrote
‘I watched as they didn’t flinch when he reached out to touch their faces and arms
They took his hand and tried so hard to communicate with him, to no avail.’ Those sitting next to Tim also helped get his food and coffee together and guide him to the toilet
‘That’s when this lovely young woman came into the picture’ added Lynette. ‘Clara learned ASL because she had dyslexia and it was the easiest foreign language for her to learn
‘For the rest of the flight, she attended to Tim and made sure his needs were met
It was fascinating to watch as she signed one letter at a time into his hand. ‘He was able to read her signing and they carried on an animated conversation
When he asked her if she was pretty, she blushed and laughed as the seatmate, who had learned a few signs, communicated an enthusiastic yes to Tim
’ Lynette was touched by the whole thing but also marvelled at stranger kindness as everyone rallied to make sure Tim’s needs were met
‘I don’t know when I’ve ever seen so many people rally to take care of another human being
All of us in the immediate rows were laughing and smiling and enjoying his obvious delight in having someone to talk to
’ Since the post went viral, Alaska Airlines have tried to reach out to Clara and Tim, as well as his seatmates
Lynette ended the post saying: ‘It was a beautiful reminder, in this time of too much awfulness, that there are still good, good people who are willing to look out for each other’
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