To not be able to get this boy out of my head?

[BumpyGrindy]

Half an hour ago a lad of about 17 maybe 16 cycled into our close with a bucket slung over his bike.

I didn't really take much notice then after a while, the door knocked. I answered and was about to tell him no thank you when he started speaking and had a really quite bad speech impediment.

He told me he wasn't raising money for charity but for himself to access a course which he told me the name of and which I've forgotten ....he then said he was offering to wash cars for any price people could pay.

I don't have a car! I also had no money in the house at all..not even a pound as I've not been to the bank.

I can't forget his face...and the effort it took for him to say those words. I wish I could help him...he had a lovely face.

but how is it a scam if they do a job for some cash?

Maddening I think it's common for people to call around and as you're occupied with them, their mate goes in round the back and robs you.

When distraction burglars get your lovely grandad and walk right past your grandma with altzheimers and get a lot of money, when people are bussed into your neighbourhood and you get knocks off people spinning a load of crap to get you to buy nicked stuff and when someone tries to check out your house while you're right there then you become cynical. I disagree that makes you in any way a bitter person. You can be a nice person and still be cautious in order to protect yourself.

Please believe me - a massive part of the McGuire programme is plucking up the courage to speak to strangers to practise the speech exercises. This is usually in the form of ordering things in shops/cafes, or indeed doing the kind of thing this young man very courageously was doing. This sounds like a very genuine case to me.

I don't doubt him nat and I never did. All I could do was stand, listen and nod appropriately...now you've pointed that out...that speaking like this is part of the course, I'm glad I did listen.

What a shame he couldn't have had that help when he was younger as part of his schooling via NHS SALT. I get SO angry about the waste of human potential in this country due to poor SN services. That course should be government funded given the difference it will make to this young mans long term employment prospects (eg cheaper to pay for this than a life time benefits bill).

Also what's going on with people moaning when a young person gets off their butt to do something like this? I don't see it as any different to a kid with a work ethic doing a paper round a la 1950's stylee. Kids have done odd jobs for cash since time began. A lad like that is such a refreshing change from the benefits culture and the gimme dat crowd.

Be honest - with a severe speech impediment and a dearth of regular jobs he'd be at the bottom of the hiring queue for the usual teen Saturday shop job. Yet he's not letting it stand in the way of his goal. He's asking for honest pay for honest work. I bet those same people are the ones who moan about benefits scroungers.