I knew it probably wasn’t a great idea, but Emily needed a break. It was a chance to get all four kids out of the house on a Saturday afternoon so Emily could rest. They’ve all been to BYU basketball games before, and usually we manage to last at least until halftime before any one of them gets bored or overwhelmed to the point where we have to leave.

We were offered some tickets and I knew Grandpa would be there to help out. It was a non-marquee opponent early on in the season, so the crowd wouldn’t be as big as normal. Honestly, I don’t get to go to a lot of basketball games anymore, and I just wanted to enjoy some basketball with my kids and with my dad. So I decided to take them. The kids were all excited about going when I told them where we were headed.

I knew Grandpa would get them snacks and as long as there are snacks, everything should be fine.

It didn’t take long after the game started for Taylor to start getting agitated and overwhelmed. She began to throw popcorn, yell (not in a cheering-for-basketball-type-way), and grab promotional towels left on the seats around us and throw them wildly.

I tried to calm her for a minute to see if we could recover, but I knew the game was likely over for us. Before I could even finish that thought, she bolted for the aisle (over her siblings and Grandpa) and started running up the stairs as fast as she could while yelling that she just wants to die.

I caught up to her halfway up the arena and we got out to the concourse, both breathing heavily while she continued to scream. Taylor found herself a spot along the outer wall to sit down and I stood next to her, talking calmly. She seemed to settle down as she sat. I decided to remain standing in case she took off running again. I noticed a BYU police officer maybe 5 to 10 feet away from Taylor on the other side of her, right next to a building exit.

I have to think the officer saw and heard our commotion as we came out of the arena and into the concourse. It would have been hard to miss as he was right in front of where we came out, and not a lot of people were in the concourse at the time.

As I stood next to Taylor, I got his attention and asked him if he could help me by blocking the door if Taylor decided to run for it. He turned to look at me and said, “I’m not going to do your parenting for you.”

I was not expecting that. I didn’t know what to say. After a second or two, I responded, “Well, she has autism, she’s suicidal, and I’m trying to keep her safe.” Next thing I know, Taylor bolted again and ran right past the officer. As I ran past him, I noticed the sheepish look on his face.

I caught up to Taylor not far from where we were, and we were now sitting in the middle of the concourse together. I try to figure out a way to hold Taylor so she can’t run again while also trying to send a text to my dad that he needs to bring the other kids up so we can head home.

We moved back to the outer wall, near the doors where the officer was (he had now moved about 20 to 30 feet away from us in the opposite direction). Then, likely after seeing and hearing what was happening, a college-aged woman left her nearby post at the door as a ticket taker, and came over and sat down next to Taylor. She started talking to Taylor. She asked Taylor her name, what she liked to do, what her favorite things were. Taylor started to calm. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for that young woman in that moment.

She didn’t ask if anything was wrong, or if she could help. She just did it. And helped in the perfectly right way for Taylor at that moment.

She was a helper.

She helped Taylor calm down and helped me have a free minute to send a text to my dad. Shortly after, we were able to head out and make it safely to the car.

That was a few months ago.

Today, on World Autism Awareness Day, I want to thank all of the helpers out there. There are a lot of you.

To all of our helpers, including our extended families, our neighbors, friends, colleagues, and strangers alike, thank you all. It hasn’t gone unnoticed and Emily and I often wish we could do more to show our gratitude.

Everyone has challenges, seen or unseen. And I hope we can all be helpers, as this young woman was for us on that day.