'Santa' communicates with girl using sign language on Polar Express

[alexl92]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-38243832

A young girl had a "magical" surprise when a Father Christmas on board a train started to communicate with her using sign language.

Betsy, 3, who has Down's syndrome and impaired hearing and vision, was on the Weardale Polar Express when he approached and struck up a conversation in Makaton.

Her mother, Kay Scott, from Halifax in West Yorkshire, posted the footage on Facebook and it gained about 50,000 views.

Kay said: "Immediately she was put at ease, because she understood - it just made her first experience of Santa magical."

Bob Thompson, Father Christmas on the train, from St John's Chapel in County Durham, learned sign language during his time as a social worker.

He said: "It gave Betsy an opportunity to ask Santa what she wanted for Christmas, it empowered her to talk on her own outside a school or home environment.

"She asked me for a teddy bear to put under her Christmas tree, because she had been a very good girl."

In a world where the news is so often negative, this really made me smile. Credit to this gentleman and all the staff, paid and volunteer, across the country who go out of their way on a regular basis to make everyone feel welcomed, often without recognition. Just thought it was worth highlighting.

 

[dave87016]

I agree with alexl92 sentiments 100% a very nice touch from Mr Thompson especially

 

[theblackwatch]

Yes, a great positive story.

 

[DarloRich]

A very nice story - However, surely Mr Thompson is merely a spokesman for Santa rather than the man himself

 

[tsr]

A very nice story - However, surely Mr Thompson is merely a spokesman for Santa rather than the man himself

In this case, perhaps he is in line for promotion...

 

[507021]

A very heartwarming story, hats off to Mr Thompson.