A Thief Among Them

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A Thief Among Them

Written by Gayle Nobel

Saturday, 12 April 2014 15:06

thief |THēf|

noun ( pl. thieves |THēvz| )

a person who steals another person's property, esp. by stealth and without using force or violence.

Kyle has assembled and delivered approximately 150 shoeboxes filled with toiletries for the homeless for a local Shoebox Ministry. Each box represents his hard work and giving back to a community. Creating the shoeboxes may seem simple and straight forward but nothing about it comes easily for Kyle.

The process of shoebox creation begins when Kyle and Angelica (his 1:1 assistant) go out into the community asking for donations from local businesses of empty boxes and supplies. Sometimes they get turned down. People who know Kyle, such as his dentist, have been gracious enough to make generous donations of needed items. Friends and family members collect and donate items on a regular basis to support Kyle in this project. Kyle also purchases items with donated and gifted funds as well as regular parental funding. The process of purchasing items is a part of the challenge and learning.

Angelica is in charge of organizing the project and guiding Kyle each step of the way to be successful in the pieces of the task in which he participates. It's a beautiful ongoing process of learning, growing, and giving. There is tremendous commitment and behind the scenes effort for each box that is created.

Kyle makes a weekly delivery to the church collection point where he has developed relationships over the last couple of years of regular donations to Shoebox Ministry. He has even received a 2013 and 2014 international "Naturally Autistic People Awards" nomination for community achievement.

His work is documented in this previously posted video with music written and sung by his sister Leah.

Can you imagine someone who knows Kyle and knows intimately about this project rummaging through boxes and STEALING approximately 30 toothbrushes? I couldn't either! This discovery was shocking and unexpected. Angelica made the discovery when she was packing up belongings in preparation for Kyle's move (with her) to a new day program.

This is when the drama began. I wrote and spoke personally to the program manager and her supervisor. I was assured by the supervisor that they were looking into it. I came up with a brilliant idea in the form of an invitation to the thief to return the stolen goods anonymously. And then perhaps go one step further, and type a letter of apology to Kyle, Angelica and myself. Also anonymously. I suggested this multiple times to the manager and administration of Aires (company that runs AAA West, his now former day program) both verbally and in writing. Nobody ever seemed excited about it and I was continually assured they were investigating. I was never informed that this this opportunity was offered to staff, so I am assuming it was not.

But why? I never felt a sense of commitment from Aires to find a way to make this situation right. In fact, I never received an apology from the manager who is in charge of the program. I can't imagine that the guilty party would step forward for risk of being fired. At least I would HOPE they would be fired. But I wonder. The idea of giving someone a chance to return items seemed to me, the safest and best way to give the thief a chance to do the right thing.

Dear AAA West Shoebox Thief,

What were you thinking when you decided to steal Kyle's supplies for creating shoebox toiletry kits for the HOMELESS?? At this point, it is not about the toothbrushes but about a much bigger process and ideal that you have chosen to steal from and therefore, disrespect. I invite you to watch this video again and then reflect upon what you did. Perhaps your perspective will change.

Where was your heart and soul when you chose to rummage through his boxes and take what did not belong to you? Particularly as his supplies were being packed up so he could go on to a setting better suited to his needs. REALLY?

Is this all about control at a time when you felt it slipping away? Or just a mindless stealing of items that belong not to you, but ultimately, the needy. Perhaps you consider yourself needy. Kyle could have made you a box.

I wonder... how do you live with yourself? How do you look in the mirror each day and brush your teeth? A bad taste in your mouth and a bad taste in your soul is surely lingering. In the bigger picture of life, the scheme of things, those brushes don't matter. We will get more. But what DOES matter is the choice you made when you took them and the choice you continue to make by holding on to them.

Though I do not know for sure, I suspect I might know who you are. I would never accuse without knowing, but my intuition is pointing me in your direction.

And now the saga has gotten even more unbelievable. As supplies are being organized in Kyle's new program, it is discovered that soap and shampoo have also been stolen. Soap for the homeless? REALLY? The lowness of this act has just gotten lower. We will get more soap Aires AAA West thief, but you will still be dirty.

There is still time to do the right thing. Why wouldn't you want to do that? The ball is in your court now. Ask your heart what it thinks you should do. It's never too late to return the items to Kyle so that he can in turn, give them to the homeless.

Gayle Nobel

As always, I love to hear from you readers. And if you have an idea, submit it, and I will forward to along to the day program. I'm sure they would love to hear from you. :-)

Supplies....

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