Father Is Overjoyed As Grocery Store Manager Allows Son With Down Syndrome To Scan Groceries

Aug 23, 2021

Raising a child is a huge responsibility that can come with many challenges, but also plenty of amazing moments. Being by a child’s side as they grow up means getting to watch them flourish while giving them all the love and care they deserve. No matter what happens, a loving parent is always by their child's side and supports them through all the highs and lows of their life. 

This becomes even more important when a parent has a child with disabilities. This may include both physical and mental disabilities. One of the most common genetic conditions that can cause difficulties and minor to severe disability is Down Syndrome.

Many newborns that are born with Down syndrome are sadly treated differently and even sometimes left behind as their parents are afraid of taking on such a big responsibility. However, growing up in a happy and healthy family can help any child have a chance at living a normal life. A community that is loving and inclusive can also make a major difference for a child with Down Syndrome. 

During a visit to the Tesco supermarket with his father, 10-year-old Jay Burke, a child with Down syndrome, became enraptured by a vacant checkout aisle at the Great Horton Road Tesco store in Bradford, England. His father, David, figured that he would have to lead his son out of the aisle to not cause any problems for management. It turns out that management didn't mind it at all, and let the young boy sit at the cashier. This story from October 2018 is sure to warm your heart. 

BBC News reported that both David and Jay are regulars in the Great Horton Road Tesco store in Bradford. Young Jay loved watching the cashiers at work, smiling every time he saw the conveyor belt move and the cash register being used. David knew about his son's fondness of the machines, so when Jay began to put the shopping through the cashier himself, his father tried to coax him into stopping. It is likely that David did not want to cause trouble by Jay scanning the products without permission.

No matter whether their child has Down syndrome or not, most parents know that sometimes children are just fascinated with what are completely normal and everyday things for most adults. It's part of the experience of growing up and discovering the world. Sometimes, this means children will touch - or try to touch - things they shouldn't. Exasperated and tired parents everywhere have been telling their children "don't touch that" for centuries. David was about to join their ranks and do the same, when something unexpected happened.

The manager stepped in and did something incredible for Jay. 

The staff at the store opened a special checkout just for Jay! "A massive well done to the staff - Jay was thrilled to bits," David told the news outlet. 

David also added, "Everyone there always makes a huge effort to making shopping that bit easier for us. If you have a child with a learning challenge or challenging behavior then you know just how traumatic it can sometimes be when out in a place like a busy supermarket." 

David works as a firefighter and said that his son was "incredibly independent" and was always keen to do things for himself. Many people with Down Syndrome have issues with independence and development, and according to Children's Hospital, all people with this condition have some level of intellectual disability. However, that does not mean that people with Down's cannot lead a normal life. 

Jay certainly showed that he wants to take initiative, and his supportive community came through for him! About his son, David said, "He's a little charmer and it's amazing to be the parent of a child that bring the absolute best out in people. We call him the Lord Mayor of Starbucks because every time we go into our local coffee shop he's always chatting away to people."

Commenting further on the experience at their local Tesco, the firefighter added: "He felt like a worker and it just warmed my heart to see how focused he was and how much he was enjoying himself." David also recommended how the staff took time out of their busy workday to do this one little thing for his son: "It was amazing to see [the staff] take the time and patience to do this for Jay."

It just goes to show that a little act of kindness can mean a lot to somebody else. While it was only a small thing for the manager and staff of Tesco to do, it meant the world for little Jay and his father. We should all strive to be a bit kinder to those around us.

What do you think of this moment? Did it warm your heart? Show this to any friends or family members who are always looking for evidence of the kindness that exists in the world.