Looking Beyond: When Disability Becomes Invisible

It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and not everything in life is what it seems.

If these statements hold true, does that necessarily mean hardship and the impending implosion of humanity? Or does it mean one is on the path to something better? For example, if you would put a dollar bill in front of someone and ask them what they see, would they say something along the lines of “Money, of course!” or might they go the other way and say, “Money is a tool for a better tomorrow.”

That said, you might be able to show the same things to different people, but that doesn’t mean they’ll “see” what the other person sees. Travis Rudolph, wide receiver for the football team at Florida State University recently proved this to be a powerful thing, when he had lunch with a boy with autism at his school.

Sixth-grader Bo Paske often sits by himself at lunch in the cafeteria at Montford Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida. His peers always avoid him because they say his autism makes him “different”. The football team at FSU recently visited Paske’s school and Rudolph spotted sitting alone at an empty table.

In the video interview above, Rudolph explains why he walked over to the table and ate lunch with the young boy:

“It was near the end of [the team’s] visit. Our coach asked us to introduce ourselves to all the sixth graders,” he says. “I grabbed two slices of pizza,recognized Bo sitting [there] alone, and I asked him, ‘Can I sit down and eat lunch with you?'”

The interaction between the two has gone viral. However, Paske’s mother, Leah, hadn’t met Rudolph before, until this very interview aired. She also comments on seeing the photo the photo that went viral:

“This is my fist time meeting [Travis] and it’s pretty emotional. Seeing the picture for the first time, I was just overcome with emotion. Travis is a superstar and for him to go into a crowded lunchroom and choose to sit with Bo–I have no words.”

According to Upworthy.com, Leah later took to social media to thank Rudolph.

“I’m not sure what exactly made this incredibly kind man share a lunch table with my son, but I’m happy to say that it will not soon be forgotten. This is one day I didn’t have to worry if my sweet boy ate lunch alone, because he sat across from someone who is a hero in many eyes. Travis Rudolph thank you so much, you made this momma exceedingly happy, and have made us fans for life!”

I think if there’s someone reading this who wants a real, genuine lesson on how to approach disability, this is it.

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