It came to my attention recently that some people with learning disabilities may need more than direction to get the services they need and deserve, particularly when shopping or in public places.

What they may need the most is our charity in attitude and interaction right on the spot.

When we are charitable toward others we go the extra mile out of kindness to be sure they get what they need.

Shopping
An example when you are shopping, would be to help someone who looks confused find what they need.

Let's remember that learning disabilities can take many forms including math and reading skills, which could mean having trouble reading signs displayed in stores - either the printing or numbers displayed.

A person may also become disoriented by looking at checkered patterns or color combinations on the floor, or patterns that are sometimes used to aid traffic flow like big black arrows in the flooring material formed by the arrangement of the tiles. We can gently guide the person to the destination they are seeking.

These are just some examples of ways to help out in a friendly fashion without making the person feel needy.

Coping in a crowd
Coping out in a crowd sometimes is hard enough for those fully abled, so charity shown in little ways can be a good service, and the personal benefit is we feel useful being kind.

Out on the street, engaging a person in a conversation that is looking confused or looking lost is another opportunity to be charitable. Just walking along with the person to the bus stop or where they need to go is a way to lend support and direction without looking like you're leading by the hand.

I feel that charity is well given when specific to the situation at hand, and may mean sharing some cash or goods as seems the traditional way, or by helping out right on the spot when the need is before our eyes.

I know a man who bought groceries for poor families and would put them on their doorsteps at night, anonymously - sparing embarrassment to the families, and making himself privately feel charitable. Perhaps these families were poor because a learning disability or other disability was holding their breadwinners back from better paying jobs.

All day long we can be charitable by being kind in our interactions, and when we see a specific need, then going out of our way - remembering we're all members of one big family on earth.

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Article by Susan Kramer