Navigating public areas can be extremely difficult for people who suffer from disabilities. Though the Americans With Disabilities Act has made public places more accessible for the handicap, many unforeseen challenges can create difficulties for the disabled.

As the mother to a son who is confined to a heavy wheelchair, Monica Ward Scharrer knows these challenges all too well. Monica and her son Chris love getting out of the house to do things like watch their favorite sports teams play, but it can be nerve-racking for them when things don’t quite go according to plan.

Monica and Chris love hockey, so they were ecstatic when they got the chance to watch a New York Rangers game. They managed to ride the train to the game and watch it without any problems coming up. It wasn’t until it came time to take the train home that the night took a bad turn.

“Our worst nightmare occurred…” Monica said.

After leaving the stadium, the mother and son discovered that the elevator that would take them from street level down to the Penn Station platform wasn’t working. Chris’s wheelchair weighs 350 pounds, so they desperately needed this elevator. Monica began to panic, thinking that they were stranded on the street, but that’s when an unexpected hero stepped in to save them.

Officer Mears was patrolling the area when he saw Monica and Chris struggling, and he immediately offered his assistance. He escorted them around until they found a working elevator, and Monica afterwards described him as a “beautiful human being.”

Mears led the mother and son personally to the Long Island Rail Road, asked what track they would be on and walked with them to their train platform. He even set up the ramp they carry around with them to give Monica a break!

Chris was able to safely get on the train, and as Monica profusely thanked the officer, he confessed something to her that nearly brought her to tears.

“(He) told me he worked with the disabled for six years before he became a police officer and that is where his heart is. I can’t say enough about how wonderful this officer was to my son and I. He essentially moved a mountain for us! I love this man and what he represents of humanity,” Monica said.

God bless this officer for taking the time to help this mother and son in need! We need more people like him in the world!

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