Southwest Airlines flight attendant, autistic teen from Keller share special bond

Jul. 14--When Garrison Christy's name was called during Keller Central's graduation at Globe Life Field on June 26, only a handful of his family was there to cheer him on.

Due to the coronavirus, attendance was limited to help practice social distancing.

One of Garrison's five tickets went to someone he'd only met a year ago, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant, Erica Connolly.

"She is my friend," said Garrison, who is autistic.

"His mom sent me a text asking if I was available," Connolly added. "I said no matter what, I'll be there."

The two met in May of 2019 during a flight from Chicago to Dallas.

"I encounter all kinds of passengers on a daily basis, but I have never met anyone like Garrison," said Connolly, who has been with Southwest for two years.

"I briefly interacted with Garrison and his family. I believe his mom asked me a question and then Garrison started telling me all about how much he loves airplanes," Connolly added.

Garrison's love for planes dates back to when he was a toddler.

"At the time we were still trying to figure out why he was limited verbally. It wasn't until a few years later we found out his hearing was the issue and he needed ear tubes," said Garrison's mother Renee Christy. "Prior to the tubes, the loud sounds and rumbling of the jets made him smile so large and from there his love for them continued to grow and peek his interest."

During the flight, Garrison opened up to the flight attendant, telling her about his love of planes. "I come from an aviation family and have a passion for flying," Connolly said, "so I was excited to listen to Garrison [on the plane] and let him tell me all of the airplane facts he wanted to share."

After landing in Dallas, the two went their separate ways. "We didn't even get to say goodbye, but Garrison left an impression on me," Connolly said. "The brief interaction was definitely a bright spot during work.

It turns out that the reunion did not take long. Connolly, who graduated from Keller High in 2009, was at her parent's home in Keller the next day when she was going through some old things. She came across an airplane fact book her dad was going to throw out, and she immediately thought about Garrison.

Instead of throwing the book away, through a family friend who also went to Central, Connolly sent it to Garrison with a note that included her contact information.

Renee called Connolly to say thanks and the two friends met up for lunch.

"Garrison has such an infectious love for airplanes and it really touched me," Connolly said. "I have many resources at my fingertips due to my family's flying background and my career, that it just seemed like the natural and obvious thing to do. I never expected to gain a lifelong friend out of such a small gesture."

Connolly has been to Garrison's baseball games and took his senior photos. She even surprised Garrison with her dad's Air Force flight suit.

Then Connonlly and the Southwest crew were able to give Garrison a tour of their headquarters and let him see the inside of an airplane simulator.

"I am so grateful we have had the unique opportunity to grow this friendship," Connolly said.

Outside of graduation, the coronavirus has made it hard for Connolly and the Christy family to hang out.

But Connolly and Garrison continue to stay touch through text messages and video chats.

"Garrison doesn't have friends like typical kids do at his age," Renee said. "To have someone other than family give him attention and show interest in his likes makes him very happy.

"I don't think words can express what it does for my heart and my hopes for him. In a world where you come across those that are quick to judge before knowing a person, walk a day in his shoes or have the ability to show empathy, it scares me at times. Erica's kindness and true friendship for Garrison allows me to continue with hope for him in creating more friendships."

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