Market Basket Cashier With Autism Helps Veteran in Oxford, Massachusetts

You can’t label people and judge them by those labels. Something I don’t talk about much, because I don’t think about labels much, is that my oldest son Jamie is on the Autism spectrum.

To me, he is just “Jamie.”

When I saw this story about Briar Poirier I immediately thought of my own son.

Briar was doing his job as a cashier at Market Basket in Oxford, Massachusetts, when a man came up about $3 short on his grocery bill, according to an article on autismsite.greatergood.com. The way the man was dressed, Briar knew he was a veteran and opened up his wallet and paid the rest, the article stated.

Acts of Kindness

Renee Falcioni witnessed the act and was so touched by Briar’s kindness that she shared the story on her Facebook page, the Autism site stated.

Renee said in the article: “I was an aisle ahead of Briar, and he was cashing out an elderly man who happened to be a veteran.  And the veteran was short paying for his grocery bill, and, without hesitation, Briar took out his wallet and said, ‘I’ve got this.’”

Briar has a reputation for his kindness with his co-workers and shoppers at Market Basket alike, according to autismsite.greatergood.com.

People Like Briar Restore My Faith in Humanity

When my son was diagnosed with Asperger’s, I had some friends that said, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, and I thought, "Well, I’m not!  I would not have Jamie any way than the way he is."

Hearing what Briar did reminded me of my son who would give his shirt to help a friend or stranger.  Autism has helped Jamie in his job where he has to remember very specific measurements, and I think without him just being him, anyone else would find the job boring, but he makes a good living and loves it.

People are people and sometimes it’s just good to remember to be kind.  Keep going, Briar!