*********************************
It started with a simple birthday wish; a dad asking Facebook friends to make his autistic son's ninth birthday memorable by sending well wishes.
When we first reported on the appeal in early March, Chad Kleis was already overwhelmed with a shower full of cards and packages for Hunter. He had no idea what was coming after the story was broadcast.
"Since then, we have had a good eight to nine full carts from the post office delivered," Kleis said. "We can no longer pick them up because there is so much."
The greetings and gifts have come from all over the world.
It all culminated this weekend with Hunter's birthday bash at Strikz Entertainment in Frisco, where scores of other autistic kids got to join in the celebration at a party where they weren't different.
David and Jamie Dingle's 10-year-old autistic sons was among the guests. "They understand each other. There's no judgment. When you get them together like this, it starts to become like a family because you realize what other parents are going through."
Tiffany Hudson donated her time to help make the event possible.
"It just makes my heart so happy that people are caring enough about Hunter to devote their time and their resources to make this one of the best days of his life, and I think that is absolutely amazing," she said.
Chad Kleis is now inspired to do this for others, so that more children with autism — who so often feel isolated — can know there is a world of support for them out there.
"It's so humbling to see people care, and that our story touched them in a very beautiful way," he said.
Kleis calls the bigger effort Hunter's Autism Specials. Click here for more information or to get involved with Hunter's Autism Specials. You can also e-mail Chad Kleis directly: ChadKleis@Hotmail.com
*******************************
No comments:
Post a Comment