Yes, I know that we are not supposed to post anonymously, but bear with me on this one. It's just that I don't want to give out any information that could identify a special visitor to our museum.

A few years ago, there was a man escorted by another man. This man obviously had some severe mental disability. Other volunteers would run at the sight of this man. I stepped forward as I would for any visitor to our museum.

For this man, a visit to our museum was something very special in his life. He had a strong passion for certain items in our collection. His exuberance would make some foamers look normal.

During a visit, he would often ask the same question 5, 10 or 15 times. I would answer the question just as if I had been asked for the first time.

I would see them from time to time. This man always would ask why I wasn't here at his last visit. It appeared that I had made a positive impact in his life.

Although his caretaker never said specifically what the man's problems were, I came to the conclusion that the man suffered from autism and severe mental retardation. His caretaker did tell me that the visits to our museum were a reward for him.

I have not seen them in about a year and quite frankly, I miss showing him around our museum.

Sincerely;

A Nonny Mouse

> There's a young man here in the South named
> David Belk that lots of folks in the hobby
> know and fear. He has a tendency to do some
> decidedly ill-advised things. The man has a
> serious mental deficiency caused by a
> childhood disease. Unfortunately, few of the

> fans down here are aware of this and treat
> him like a criminal when they see him. I'm
> sort of glad this thread came up, because it
> gives me an excuse to get the facts about
> him "out there" in the hopes that
> fans will start helping to look after him
> instead of condeming him out of hand. David
> lives in Charlotte and visits SCRM at least
> once a year -- I think he hits Spencer a bit
> more often. I always make it a point to
> nicely say hello to him and keep a close
> watch on what he's up to. He can get himself
> in trouble very easily.

> I wonder how many of these other individuals
> y'all are discussing had/have similar
> problems? There's usually a pretty
> compelling reason for strange behavior if
> you look for it.


spambotbait@localhost.com

> Yes, I know that we are not supposed to post
> anonymously, but bear with me on this one.
> It's just that I don't want to give out any
> information that could identify a special
> visitor to our museum.

> A few years ago, there was a man escorted by
> another man. This man obviously had some
> severe mental disability. Other volunteers
> would run at the sight of this man. I
> stepped forward as I would for any visitor
> to our museum.

> For this man, a visit to our museum was
> something very special in his life. He had a
> strong passion for certain items in our
> collection. His exuberance would make some
> foamers look normal.

> During a visit, he would often ask the same
> question 5, 10 or 15 times. I would answer
> the question just as if I had been asked for
> the first time.

> I would see them from time to time. This man
> always would ask why I wasn't here at his
> last visit. It appeared that I had made a
> positive impact in his life.

> Although his caretaker never said
> specifically what the man's problems were, I
> came to the conclusion that the man suffered
> from autism and severe mental retardation.
> His caretaker did tell me that the visits to
> our museum were a reward for him.

> I have not seen them in about a year and
> quite frankly, I miss showing him around our
> museum.

> Sincerely;

> A Nonny Mouse

ANM:

I would say that you are a credit to your organization.

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

midlandblb@cs.com

> Yes, I know that we are not supposed to post
> anonymously, but bear with me on this one.
> It's just that I don't want to give out any
> information that could identify a special
> visitor to our museum.

> A few years ago, there was a man escorted by
> another man. This man obviously had some
> severe mental disability. Other volunteers
> would run at the sight of this man. I
> stepped forward as I would for any visitor
> to our museum.

> For this man, a visit to our museum was
> something very special in his life. He had a
> strong passion for certain items in our
> collection. His exuberance would make some
> foamers look normal.

> During a visit, he would often ask the same
> question 5, 10 or 15 times. I would answer
> the question just as if I had been asked for
> the first time.

> I would see them from time to time. This man
> always would ask why I wasn't here at his
> last visit. It appeared that I had made a
> positive impact in his life.

> Although his caretaker never said
> specifically what the man's problems were, I
> came to the conclusion that the man suffered
> from autism and severe mental retardation.
> His caretaker did tell me that the visits to
> our museum were a reward for him.

> I have not seen them in about a year and
> quite frankly, I miss showing him around our
> museum.

> Sincerely;

> A Nonny Mouse

It not hard to show someone like that a little attention and kindness and the impact on them can be tremendous. Good for you!
mw


p_michael_warren@yahoo.com

As the parent of a small boy with special needs, this post really touches me. The kindness and thoughtfulness shown by ANM blessed the visitor and his care provider as well as anyone who witnessed it.

God Bless You, ANM. Merry Christmas.


shawsinoly@aol.com

> Yes, I know that we are not supposed to post
> anonymously, but bear with me on this one.
> It's just that I don't want to give out any
> information that could identify a special
> visitor to our museum.

> A few years ago, there was a man escorted by
> another man. This man obviously had some
> severe mental disability. Other volunteers
> would run at the sight of this man. I
> stepped forward as I would for any visitor
> to our museum.

> For this man, a visit to our museum was
> something very special in his life. He had a
> strong passion for certain items in our
> collection. His exuberance would make some
> foamers look normal.

> During a visit, he would often ask the same
> question 5, 10 or 15 times. I would answer
> the question just as if I had been asked for
> the first time.

> I would see them from time to time. This man
> always would ask why I wasn't here at his
> last visit. It appeared that I had made a
> positive impact in his life.

> Although his caretaker never said
> specifically what the man's problems were, I
> came to the conclusion that the man suffered
> from autism and severe mental retardation.
> His caretaker did tell me that the visits to
> our museum were a reward for him.

> I have not seen them in about a year and
> quite frankly, I miss showing him around our
> museum.

> Sincerely;

> A Nonny Mouse
Hats off to you for fielding one of the real challenges in life. I once had the priveledge to escort a blind person through the outdoor exhibits of Mid-Continent. Situations like this teach you a lot about how well you can communicate with others. Its both humbling and gratifying.
I urge all of us who take an active part in Museum operations to take up the challenge. And if you are not one of the active ones, look around at other ways that you can help.

Keep 'em between the rails!
Ken Breher

BREHER1257@aol.com

I always admired the young blind fellow who attended NRHS convention trips and excursions out West. I have no nickname for him nor do I care to give him one. [I wish I knew his real name.] He really seemed to enjoy those trips and really made me appreciate them even more.
It's a hobby many can enjoy for sights, sounds, smells, memories, machines, and people.