Russell Lehmann and David Apkarian #
https://storycorps.org/listen/russell-lehmann-and-david-apkarian-170922/
I remember sitting in the same exact spot for seven hours crying, and, uh, not one person approached me.
- exact (adj.) - in great detail, or complete, correct, or true in every way
- spot (noun. C) - a particular place
- approach (verb.) - to come near or nearer to something or someone in space, time,quality, or amount
And that’s when I found an empty ticket counter. I sat behind it and I started sweating bullets, rocking back and forth, hyperventilating.
- counter (noun. C) - a long, flat, narrow surface or tablein a shop, bank, restaurant, etc. at whichpeople are served
- sweat bullets (idiom, informal@US) - to be extremely nervous and worried about something
- rock (verb.) - to (cause someone or something to) move backwards and forwards or from side to side in a regularway
- back and forth - moving first in one direction and then in the opposite one
- hyperventilate (verb. @US) - to breathe too quickly, causing too much oxygen to enter the blood
I hadn’t had an episode like that probably since I was like 11.
- episode (noun. C) - a single event or group of relatedevents
I don’t remember a whole lot, ’cause for me, in the midst of a meltdown, my brain literally feels like it’s on fire, with a vice grip around it, just getting tighter and tighter. I have a hard time comprehending the simplest sentences. I just, uh, feel like I’m on a planet all by myself.
- in the midst of sth - in the middle of an event, situation, or activity
- meltdown (noun. C/U informal) - an occasion when a person becomes extremely upset and is not ableto deal with a problem or situation
- vice (noun. C vise@US) - a tool with two parts that can be moved together bytightening a screw so that an object can be held firmly between them while it is being worked on
- grip (verb.) - to hold very tightly
- comprehend (verb. not continuous) - to understand something completely
But when you crouched down beside me and asked me what was going on, my feelings started to change. Having someone actually recognize that I was human and that I was there — it meant the world to me. I didn’t feel as fragile. I had someone on my team.
- crouch down (verb.) - to bend your knees and lower yourself so that you are close to the ground andleaning forward slightly
- bend (verb.) - to (cause to) curve
- fragile (adj.) - easily damaged, broken, or harmed
I remember letting the crew know that you were very uneasy about getting on the airplane, and I brought the captain over to hopefully, you know, give you another boost of confidence.
- crew (noun. C) - a group of peoplewho work together, especially all those who work on and operate a ship, aircraft, etc.
- uneasy (adj.) - slightly worried or uncomfortable about a particular situation
- bring over - to take someone or something from one place to the place where someone else is, especially their home
- boost (verb.) - to improve or increase something
You walked me onto the flight, I was able to board before anybody else to get situated and just kind of have some peace.
- board (verb.) - to get onto or allow peopleto get onto a boat, train, or aircraft
- situate (verb.) - to put something in a particular position
So David, did you wonder what happened to me after I finally got on the plane?
- wonder (verb.) - to ask yourself questions or express a wish to know about something
You didn’t really know much about autism that day in the airport.
- autism (noun. U) - a condition that starts in young children and typically causes behaviour that is unusually centred on the self while limiting the development of social and communication skills