As I have described in other blog posts, I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with Stage IV prostate cancer, and this past November things took a rough turn.  So, my wife and I are redoubling our efforts around natural, holistic solutions while still working with my oncologist.

Last week we spent three days at an integrative cancer center outside Chicago called The Block Center.  But before I describe how warm and caring the folks there are, the list of incredibly nice people on the journey to Chicago started much earlier in the day when we got to the DCA airport.

I had not arranged for a wheelchair, but when one of the American Airlines staff saw that I use walking sticks to help me walk, she immediately found a wheelchair.  And the man who pushed me through the airport could not have been more polite or patient.  And this is just the beginning.  Here is what happened once we got on the plane.

There were a number of empty seats on the plane, and I received an upgrade to first class.  That in itself, considering some of the challenges I am currently facing with my legs, was a blessing in and of itself.  But then the stewardess who checks everyone in as they board the plane somehow arranged for Dahlia to get an upgrade as well.  And then three different people shifted around their first class seats to allow for Dahlia and me to sit together.  Their collective kindness literally brought tears to my eyes.

Once we landed in Chicago, another gracious American Airlines employee was waiting for me with the wheelchair.  She took us to baggage claim and then all the way to Rideshare area which was pretty far away.

I am going to save my description of The Block Center for its own post, but just to provide a quick highlight about the staff, I can’t imagine them being any nicer, caring, empathetic or just plain old interested in me and my wellbeing.  They treated my wife and me with such care, and as I will describe later, made us feel so welcome and part of a family.

I have never experienced a whole day of people I don’t know being so nice to me and demonstrating that even though we may not know each other, they care about my comfort and well being.  I am not going to forget that day any time soon, or the lesson that I can probably make a difference in the lives of many others around me by paying a little bit of attention to what they may be struggling with and then supporting them.  I hope we can all do that a little bit more often.

Justin Constantine is an inspirational and motivational speaker who speaks (live and virtually) to companies, nonprofit organizations and universities of all shapes and sizes. He focuses on thriving in the face of change, resilience, that it’s okay to ask for help, and that you are stronger than you think you are.