Thoughts on a go train.

"I'm sorry. She has autism"

This was a comment I heard from a frazzled mom on the go train yesterday afternoon. The word frazzled is not a fair word  perhaps, but it's the best one I can describe given the scenario: the accessibility coach was full of able-bodied go train passengers who didn't seem to understand that this coach is for people who are unable to climb the stairs. Also, given that the train was leaving union station at 3:15, it was right in the middle of their "upper level silence time" where you are not allowed to speak, so definitely a kid-free zone. Basically this lady and her 4 year old daughter, who she was pushing in a stroller, was in the exact place she was supposed to be. 

So there she is, pushing a stroller with a heavy kid, who is nonverbal and quietly watching something on an iPad to keep her entertained for the journey, and none of the able-bodied people will move out of the designated areas, where this lady would technically have way more right to be, and someone gives her snarky attitude when her daughter accidently flails her leg and brushes a lady's jacket. Something along the line of kissing her teeth at her, or a sideways eye roll. 

"I'm sorry, she has autism"

Is this something we are supposed to make a person feel sorry for? Is this what our society of "don't make eye contact because then we have to acknowledge people around us. Keep pressing refresh on your iPhone on Facebook."

"I'm sorry she has autism" 

I wonder how many times she has uttered this phrase in some form or another. 

On her way off the train she stopped to talk with Cillian and I, and discuss the Thomas the train boots he was wearing, and he was so excited to have someone talk to him. At which point I realized in a train car full of 50 people at least, not one  person had acknowledged him at all, sweet Cillian and his little metal cars going on an adventure with his newly acquired cardboard Go bus. 

Keep on looking down, no need to interact anymore when we have social

media.