Random Acts of Kindness at ASAE24
As regular readers of this newsletter, our blog, or my LinkedIn newsfeed know, I broke my leg in May and am continuing a lengthy recovery process. Getting around is still challenging as I cannot put a lot of weight on my leg yet. The bone is healed – the rest is rebuilding muscle strength.
Maneuvering the world in a wheelchair or with a walker is not as easy as it looks. Or maybe people realize it isn’t easy at all and that’s why some individuals act like they don’t see you. I did find that my assessment of humanity is not completely off: I have always thought most people are good or at least somewhat decent. This view of the world was confirmed during my recent visit to Cleveland, OH for the ASAE Annual Meeting.
When onsite at the conference, I was not surprised at all that my professional colleagues – whether I knew them personally or not – stepped in to help me. That’s what we do in associations. We help people and support each other. Friends offered to help push my wheelchair when I was too tired to roll it myself, and others offered to help me by getting me water to drink or locating elevators or waiting with me for the accessibility van.
While I don’t know the names of everyone who helped me, I want to thank the person who got me water right before the Ethics and Generative AI session (I think your name is Jen and you told me your story about trying to attend the conference on crutches one year). Other people helped me in the restroom when I couldn’t reach towels, soap, or get the darn motion activated faucet to work. Thank you!
Ross Heller, Founder and Publisher Emeritus of USAE News generously opened his car to me and let me ride along to Cleveland from Maryland. Thanks to Ross and his team members who rode along I was able to make it “there and back again” as the Hobbit would say. Thanks Ross, John and Todd for being great company and helping me out when I needed it. Thank you!
Two good friends helped me get around to “see and be seen”: Barbara Armentrout, CAE, of BJA Solutions and Bruce Rosenthal of Bruce Rosenthal Associates. Without their help, I would not have been able to attend the early sessions and meetings on my agenda. Thank you!
At the convention center, I want to thank the Cleveland volunteers who helped me find the locations I needed AND generously pushed my wheelchair for me. I also want to thank the staff at the convention center Starbucks for being so kind to help me with my orders. Thank you!
Carolyn Dellutri of the International Downtown Association figured out how to make my shower more accessible when it came to reaching the shampoo and soap bottles attached to the wall. Awesomely inspired solution – thank you!
LeAnn Shepp of the American Bankers Association helped me maneuver around the exhibit hall for a bit after helping me reach things in the women’s room. Thank you!
Speaking of the exhibit hall, Delcor and Strategico Consulting let me hang out in their booths for much needed breaks from rolling. Thank you!
Wendy Toyama of American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) made sure I got lunch on Monday, plus we had a great time catching up and enjoying the exhibit hall. Thank you!
Ellen Kim of Graphek made sure I got to my pickup spot Monday evening for the accessibility van back to my hotel. Jason Bell of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association helped me get to the van and then back into the Hyatt Regency at the Arcade. We then had a great conversation before he attended the Classic. Thank you!
Speaking of the accessibility van, Aris of Brown Transportation was a godsend. Not only was he friendly he was reliable and always on time. Because of Aris I had more freedom to move. And he also let my friends ride along to the destinations. Thank you!
A shout out to the great staff at the Hyatt Regency at the Arcade for being incredibly responsive when I needed assistance, especially Christopher from Bell Services who found my wheelchair after it was delivered and then misplaced. Thank you!
And last but not least: To Georgie and William, two Clevelanders who were out having fun Saturday night and helped a wheelchair bound damsel in distress when my wheel got stuck on a brick on the 4th Street side of the hotel. Not only did they push me forward to smoother sidewalk, but they also escorted me all the way to the House of Creole so I could attend the AWTC Opening Reception. Chivalry is not dead – at least not in Cleveland. Thank you both
If you helped me out and I didn’t mention you, please know it is not for lack of appreciation. Everyone who helped me or offered help made a huge difference in my experience and I will be forever grateful.
If you are looking for a conference or meeting location, I can attest that Cleveland does indeed rock!