This summer I worked in Alaska leading highway tours through the interior of Alaska and the Yukon Territory.
As a Tour Director we often internally sigh when we meet our guests and see that one has limited physical capacity. Many parts of Alaska are not handicap excessible and a wheelchair bound guest can cause numerous delays and awkward waits due to the time it takes to navigate the difficult terrain. On one of my tours I had an older gentleman that was able to climb the four steps on and off the coach, but had to use his wheelchair at all other times.
During the first day on tour I found myself spending a lot of time assisting his wife with the wheelchair and carrying bags. I recognized that this special attention was keeping me from connecting with many of the other guests but saw no alternative as his wife was just not capable of helping him through the various obstacles along the way. However, as the group began to bond an amazing thing took place. An unspoken pact was formed among the men and over the next several days I watched in amazement as one by one they silently stepped forward to offer their assistance to the couple, thus freeing me to focus my attention on others. Throughout the next several days each of my male guests took a turn as the designated assistant. Towards the end of the trip I had a moment to sit and chat with my wheelchair bound guest. He had tears in his eyes as he expressed his gratitude to all the men who had been helping him and his wife. He said, “It’s so hard for me to accept help and to know what to say to all these people.” I told him, “Just say ‘thank you’ and leave it at that. It’s been our pleasure to have you along.” He just nodded and thought about that for awhile.
On the last day, as I was saying goodbye to my group and getting ready to get off the coach for the last time, he stood to his feet at the front of the coach and said, ‘I just want to thank all the men who helped me get around in my chair this week and I want to thank all the wives who let their husbands help me.’ It was a special moment of recognition to all those who had offered their assistance. So, in the end what I thought would be a hinderance to my group’s overall experience turned into a beautiful picture of how caring for others can really bring a group together.
Donna Paulsen