The "Thank God For Guardian Angels" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a story that appeared on the front page of my morning paper that told of an event that happened some time ago which appeared in the paper at that time.  Today's story was titled "Reaching Out" and it was a "feel-good" story that told of one man's interaction with a young boy with autism after the boy was involved in a school bus crash this past November.  It is the kind of story that can bring tears to your eyes.  It told of the compassion offered to a young boy whom the man had never met before.  Story goes like this...A Manheim Central School District school bus was involved in a traffic accident this past November 22.  The nearby fire department responded to a call as did the local ambulance.  Luckily none of the adults or students on the bus were injured.  But, just to make sure, the Emergency Medical Service wanted to evaluate the children on the bus.  One young rider by the name of Jojo remained in the field next to the ambulance, evidently scared to death about what had just happened and not knowing how to cope with the situation.  

Fireman Andy Kirchner consoling Jojo in a field
next to a school bus crash near the crash scene.
Photo taken by Asst. Fire Chief Duane Ober.

Fireman, Lieutenant Andrew Kirchner, saw the boy in distress and stepped in to care for him in the nearby field.  A short time before, as his crew was leaving the station to head to the accident scene, he grabbed a container of stuffed animals.  When Andy approached Jojo he handed him a stuffed animal and an instant bond was formed.  Jojo saw Andy, but it wasn't until a few minutes later that Jojo moved closer to Andy.  Andy got down to Jojo's level and Jojo grabbed his cheeks, squeezed them together, put his nose to Andy's nose, closed his eyes and backed away as if to say "OK".  It was Jojo's way of saying "Thank You".  Jojo is autistic and nonverbal when it comes to expressing his feelings, wants and needs.  This would be why he was terrified and panicked when asked to be examined by the ambulance crew.  It was at that point that Andy stepped in, since he too has an autistic child. He instantly sensed what was wrong and acted.  It's as if it were meant to be that fateful day in a field next to a school bus accident.  

Jojo with mother Samantha Colon.

Jojo's mother, Samantha Colon, tried for some time to locate her hero.  She wrote on her Facebook page:  Yesterday I got one of the most terrifying calls I think any parent could receive...My son's bus was in an accident.  I got to the school as soon as I could to find my son terrified and very upset.  I was told by someone who drove by the scene that a fireman was standing with Jojo alone in a field because he was too frightened and upset to get in the ambulance.  What I didn't know was that perfect stranger stood with my son.  They stood away from others for him to calm down, in a time that I could not be there for my terrified five year old.  I'm very grateful for this person to say the least.  I'm trying to find out how to retrieve information on which fire departments showed up to the scene in order to find this one fireman.  

The hero, Lt. Andy Kirchner and his family.

I would like to thank him in person.  Recently she posted once again saying:  Does everyone remember the status I shared about looking for the fireman who stood with Jojo because he was too afraid to get in the ambulance after the school bus accident?  His teacher sent me this today!  I'm balling!!!   His name is Andrew Scott Kirchner and we found him!!  Samantha and son Jojo hope to meet  Kirchner and his family soon and say "Thanks" in person.  Perfect season of the year to celebrate a happy ending for everyone.  We can, and should,   be proud of those who come to our aid when we are in distress.  They will certainly be there as was proven in this instance.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.