Some South Bay garbage truck drivers get the celebrity treatment every Wednesday.
Once a week, Redondo Beach residents cheer and jump with enthusiasm while sanitation workers do their job. The resident is Ryan Davidson, who is 21 years old. This young man is severely affected by autism, but he is not allowed to have a disability that brings him joy and excitement to his favorite thing: a garbage truck.
“Wednesday is Ryan’s favorite day of the week,” explained Ryan’s mother, Lisa Davidson. “Multiple trucks are passing. As each one passes by, he hears them coming, puts on his shoes, and runs out with us into the alleyway.”
Ryan also stood out for the sanitation workers. Their weekly greetings created a special camaraderie for both Ryan and the Athens Services employees.
They run through the alleys every week, so it’s a celebration of great joy.
Lisa Davidson, Ryan’s Mom
“They go through the alleys every week, so it’s a festival of great joy,” Davidson said. They have come to appreciate him.”
After years of receiving love and gratitude from Ryan, the sanitation workers decided to give back this past Thanksgiving. I gave him the Services swag bag.
“Of course, that shirt quickly became his favorite shirt,” his mother explained. “He claims to wash his shirts every night so he can wear them every day.”
Davidson called Ryan’s friendship with the sanitation worker “a beautiful one.” She said she was grateful to the garbage truck driver for taking her time to get to know her son, who has autism.
“Kudos to the workers. It may not be everyone in the world that does it, but it means the world to us,” Davidson said. Give him a few minutes and he’s the type of guy that will grow on you.”
Davidson also hoped that more people would understand that, like Ryan and his garbage truck, people with disabilities can also find joy.
The warm feelings seem to be mutual, according to Athens Services officials.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to bring joy to Ryan and his family each week,” said Sharon Shapiro-Fox, Director of Government Relations Services in Athens, in a statement.
Do you have any bright spots like Ryan? SHARE YOUR BRIGHTSPOT WITH USLynette Romero from LA would love to hear from you today! You can message her on Facebook and Instagram. You can also send an email to lynette.romero@nbcuni.com. Share your story on Today in LA and our website to help spread the word about your shining spot!
