As a parent, hearing that your child has been diagnosed with a serious condition is heartbreaking. Beyond watching your child struggle, it means adjusting your life to meet their needs.
While close friends and family may understand your challenges, most people don’t realize the daily struggle. So, when someone offers help, it can be a deeply moving moment.
Tricia Klein shared one such experience on her blog, The Book of Timothy. Her 7-year-old son, Timothy, has non-verbal autism and struggles to connect with others. One day, he came home with a special birthday invitation from his classmate, Carter. Along with the invite, Carter’s mom included a thoughtful note:
“Carter talks about Timothy all the time. We’re renting a bounce castle with a small slide and will have water balloons. Maybe Timothy could come earlier if it’s too much with the whole class. Let me know how we can make it work.”
Tricia was overwhelmed by the gesture, telling ABC News, “I was shocked by how thoughtful it was to consider Timothy’s needs. It was a beautiful moment.”
Carter’s mom, Ainsley Peikos, shared, “Carter had always talked about Timothy. I didn’t hesitate to invite him—just wanted to make sure he felt comfortable and had fun.”
The party was a hit. Timothy arrived early, enjoyed the bounce castle with Carter, and both had a great time. The two mothers have become good friends since then.
As Tricia said, “I want kids, all kids, to feel included. Different is okay—it’s just different.”
Sometimes, a small act of kindness can mean everything to someone else. Let’s share this story and inspire others to spread kindness!