Summer 2003
Volume 110 - No. 2
Summer 2003
Volume 110 - No. 2
BLE Focus
Our child has come home
BLE family copes with son's autism
Like most parents, Ann Richard has spent most of her child's life worrying.
Like most parents, she had hopes and dreams for her son. But unlike most
parents, Richard's worries were justified and her dreams for her child have
been altered.
Richard and her husband, BLE Division 275 (Pensacola, Fla.) member David Richard, are the parents of a child with autism.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, autism is a brain disorder that typically affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the environment. Some people with autism are relatively high-functioning, with speech and intelligence intact. Others are mentally retarded, mute, or have serious language delays. For some, autism makes them seem closed off and shut down; others seem locked into repetitive behaviors and rigid patterns of thinking.
David Kingston Richard, nicknamed King, was born on October 4, 1990. While his behavior as an infant was normal, his parents began to notice that he was not developing as quickly as he should, but David and Ann were in denial about their son's odd behavior and developmental problems. It had become apparent that King was not normal, but the Richards continued to believe that nothing was wrong.
While the family continued to ignore the problem, their lives were spiraling out of control. Finally, they decided to seek help.
After consulting with several specialists and still denying any problems, King was diagnosed as autistic. Brother Richard and Ann felt that their lives were shattered upon hearing that their child was not normal, even though they had both long realized that something was not right with King.
The family continued to struggle even after King's diagnosis. They had problems with finding child care and a school for King. David and Ann had marriage problems and Ann struggled with an addiction to prescription drugs.
After many difficult years, the family has finally learned to accept and love their child. King has improved immensely through school and with the help of his family.
"King is a very special and unique child, whom I love and simply adore," said Richard.
Ann Richard has chronicled the family's experience in a book, And When He Didn't Come Home. She intended the book to be a resource for other families who are going through similar difficulties. The book is very moving and the story can serve as an inspiration to others.
"Near the closing of the book, we come to realize that our child had come home," said Richard. "He had come home all along. Our child had been there all the time, just waiting for us to open the door and let him come in. Finally, we opened the door to let him come in and we welcomed him home."
Ann has embarked on a career as a motivational speaker and has made media appearances in Florida, most recently on Homekeepers with Arthelene Rippy on the Christian Television Network. She hopes to spread awareness about autism and tell people more about her story.
David Richard joined the BLE on November 1, 1980 and works as a locomotive engineer on CSX.
For more information about the book or autism call the toll free number (877) 944-9408 or visit her website: <www.ann-richard.com>.
Conductor saves engineer's life
From left: R.A. Lyon, Local Chairman of BLE Division 130, presents a gift of appreciation to F.J. Merando, conductor, along with UTU Local 94 Local Chairperson C.H. Sloan Jr. BLE member J.L. Mallon was not present because he was recovering from injuries. Merando's heroic actions saved Brother Mallon's life.
On May 17, 2003, BNSF train number 4617 crashed into the side of train ZWSPALT116B
in Matfield Green, Kan. Brother J.L. Mallon of BLE Division 130 (Kansas
City, Kan.) was the engineer onboard train 4617.
After the crash, Brother Mallon began telling his conductor F.J. Merando about the dangers that lay ahead of them as their train derailed and the locomotive rolled down an embankment. Diesel fuel was pouring into the cab and they feared that it would soon burst into flames.
The crew's only way out appeared to be the partially broken windshield on Merando's side of the locomotive. The two began kicking out the remainder of the windshield and creating a way to exit the burning locomotive.
Merando escaped the locomotive first. After he exited, he heard Brother
Mallon yell that he could not get out. Instead of walking away from his
crew-mate, Merando turned back towards the locomotive - knowing that he
was soaked with fuel and that they could both be engulfed - in order to
free Brother Mallon.
Merando realized that a hand-hold was causing Brother Mallon to be trapped inside the cab and worked to bend it in order to free him. He then pulled Mallon to safety and the two rolled down the embankment, which was saturated in diesel.
When they reached the safety of the bottom of the embankment, they turned and saw flames shooting 10 feet into the air from the window they had just exited. There was an explosion caused by a propane tank, which provided fuel for the switch heaters nearby.
Brother Mallon knows that he was approximately 20 seconds from burning to death and Merando has his eternal gratitude for his actions on that day.
The crew members of both trains, including D.B. Wilson of BLE Division 130 and his conductor, L.D. Gardner, suffered injuries in the accident.
Brother Mallon is recovering from a broken scapula, separated and fractured ribs, back pain and other injuries. Frank Merando is due to come back to work soon.
BLE Division 130 presented Merando with a BNSF wristwatch in commemoration of his actions on May 17.
"Both of these men had angels on their shoulders," said BLE
Division 130 Local Chairman Dick Lyon. "We are especially grateful
for that and that we have heroes among us."
Photo caption: Merando and Mallon barely escaped with their lives before this locomotive became engulfed in flames.
© 2003 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers