Today While on the Train

I am finally getting back to my routine, which is multiple days over to Sugarhouse Rehabilitation for my Wellness workout which takes a little more then an hour but getting to the Rehab facility take about an hour each way and I try to be early when I can—so I am saying the workout event essentially takes half day to accomplish. I also and blessed to be able to meet this activity totally on public transit. I take a series of buses and jump the train. I like public transit but the only draw back is public transit is very...well, public. You never know who you might run into on the train, I am usually pretty safe from interaction but sometimes your number is up and you have to take your turn at bat. Yesterday was mine.

I was on my way into Sugarhouse and at the Fireclay station one of my old Independent Living clients rolled onto the train and of course he recognized me right off and started making conversation. This guys is Francis, h is from where back east I think Detroit. When Francis migrated to Utah I was still housing coordinator for the local independent living center and he called from Detroit and I assisted him coming into the city. I may have worked extra hard for this guy, when he called he was leaving a job—yes, this guy with a disability actually had job—rare for the clientele I was used to serving. He had ambitions, wanted to find a job, get involved with the disabled community and even get involved in local politics. I of course had him send me his resume He looked great on paper and sounded great over the phone. If I remember correctly I even had him in housing by the time he got into town.

He totally up-sold me. When I met Francis is person he was not the same product I had been marketed over the telly-He was everything he said but just a much scaled down version. Still, Francis had enough to get him the basics of survival. What ever I did for this guy he has been totally impressed every since with me. I directed him to a couple of disability private support programs and private non profits who are always looking for “volunteers” usually poster children willing to be exploited to the limits of good taste. He rolled in with both feet. Actually got put on some fairly high level boards and is now attempting law school and wearing the Dean out—actually quite charming and get this as we are sitting on the train he starts mumbling on how good it is too see me and how I have done so much for him. I HAVE NOT! This is just how Francis, perceives his world and me. I just let him talk and soon it was his time get off the train—he was on his way up to the capitol to fill the halls with folks with disabilities and possibly testify—I was a Jerry Lewis type of guy I could hold Francis as one of Meadowlark's Larks—gag me.