Teenager's act of kindness leaves fellow plane passengers stunned

Tim was boarding a flight from Boston, but he needed assistance. The man, who had been visiting his sister, was both deaf and blind, communicating with his family sign language. 

However, he was travelling alone. He sat beside Lynette Scribner, who saw the whole journey unfold. 

Describing the scene on Facebook, she explained that fellow passengers and staff tried their best to help Tim, but unfortunately, no one knew how to communicate with him. 

"I watched as they didn't flinch when he reached out to touch their faces and arms," Scribner wrote. "They took his hand and tried so hard to communicate with him, to no avail. He had some verbal ability, but clearly could not understand them. The man who had given up his seat did his best to assist him with things like opening coffee creamer and putting it in his coffee. When Tim made the attempt to stand up and feel his way to the restroom, his seat mate immediately was up to help him." 

Eventually, the flight attendants decided to put out a call to see if anyone onboard knew sign language. That's when Clara appeared, at just 15-year-old she had learned American Sign Language because she has dyslexia.

"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 seat mate, who had learned a few signs, communicated an enthusiastic yes to Tim. I don't know when I've ever seen so many people rally to take care of another human being."

Tim's joy at being able to talk was infectious.

"All of us in the immediate rows were laughing and smiling and enjoying his obvious delight in having someone to talk to. Huge kudos to the flight attendants of Alaska Airlines who went above and beyond to meet Tim's needs. I can't say enough about this beautiful young woman named Clara who didn't think twice about helping her fellow passenger. 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."

After the story went viral, it came to the attention of the airline who reached out to all involved. Such a small act of kindness that really made a man in need's day.