How great do you feel when you’re able to move and dance it out? How do you like it when a good song comes on and you can stop everything to enjoy the music and the feeling you get when you shake your body? For some of us, we probably take it for granted. I know I do. I figure I can just hear a song wherever I am and snap my fingers and bob my head whenever I please. For others, it’s not so easy and it was Dunkin Donuts employee Bryan Lara, 36, who saw an opportunity to brighten someone one’s day and get them dancing on the spot!
Donald Simon, 26, from Staten Island NY, has nonverbal autism, and when he and his aid Angela Jasmine visited a local Dunkin’ Donuts, they had no idea the delightful surprise they were in for. After placing their order and sitting at the table, Bryan came over to say hello. “When we’re not too busy, I always make a point to talk to my customers. I know most people’s names and their drink orders.”
So, when Bryan approached the table, Donald asked for the server’s name and started to mirror his movements. They started dancing around to Culture Club’s, “Karma Chameleon,” but things really took off when Lady Gaga’s, “Paparazzi” came on next. Donald’s aid didn’t waste a second. She whipped out her phone and caught the spontaneous moment on camera. Bryan was grooving and moving along with Donald who did a seated dance, then they gave each other a high five, and a thumbs up.
Angela promptly sent the video to Donald’s mom, Donna Maxon, who then posted it on Facebook, saying, “Sometimes the staff at Dunkin Donuts does a floor show to ensure their special guests are having fun! Thank you for rolling out the red carpet for Donald…” Donna was floored that her son received such sweet attention, saying, “When you’re on the spectrum and nonverbal, the word friend isn’t used that much, and it touches the heart of a special-needs mom.”
And for Bryan, well, he’s just a bubbly, bouncing ball of light and sweetness, who’s been working for the company for 5 years. “I am always dancing, and when I saw Donald smile, it was a great feeling.” He says, “I love my customers so much.” I hope Bryan never loses his energy, or the ability to read his customer’s thoughts and feelings, gauging their emotional temperature with ease. What a heartwarming story!
Click on the video to watch it all go down!
