We occasionally see ordinary people who perform extraordinary deeds that renew our confidence in people. A few years ago, this heartfelt post was shared on Facebook, but every time I see it, it makes me smile, so why not share it with others? In it, a father recounts how a girl unexpectedly entered his office and asked if she might ask his autistic son a question.
Children with special needs frequently simply desire experiences that are comparable to those that any other child of their age might desire. Any 17-year-old’s top goal is finding a date for the school dance, so it can be a devastating blow to their confidence if no one wants to accompany them.
Teenagers may experience social disaster if they go alone, even if it may not seem like a big concern in the big picture. As a result, not finding a mate can seriously undermine their confidence. Some children are extremely sensitive and lack the skills necessary to fully comprehend everything; this is especially true for kids with specific needs like autism.
As his autistic son, Jon, got ready for his high school prom, Mike Larson, the parent in this story, made the decision to document the events. Millions of people have liked and shared the entire tale since he posted it on Facebook. Check it out below! Mike captioned his prom photo post, saying, “This is my son Jon with his prom date Maddi.” He has autism and is a junior. Maddi, a senior at the school where I teach, approached my office about a month ago to ask if Jon’s mother and I would let her accompany him to prom.
“Maddi had met Jon through a school club that fosters friendships between children with special needs and ordinary kids,” Mike added. Since he’s a junior, it’s also his prom, she clarified. I simply believe he ought to be given the opportunity to leave. I informed her that having him accompany her would be an honour.
Maddi wanted Jon to have the greatest prom night ever, which is why she chose to take him to her senior prom. After doing some research, she discovered that orange is Jon’s favourite colour, so she could purchase an outfit in that hue.
Additionally, she reserved a table for their group (they split the reservation with another couple) at the restaurant that offered his favourite dishes, which included chocolate milk, French fries, and chicken fingers. Update: In honour of this post’s sixth anniversary, I’m reposting it. It surpassed one million shares last week. I’ve been given…
Maddi wanted to check with his father before inviting Jon to the dance. Mike Larson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “It was a pretty breathtaking moment for me.”
Mike’s prom post Mike claims that he posted the prom photo to social media for three reasons. 1. “to demonstrate support for children with special needs like Jon.” 2. “to demonstrate support for organisations that foster these friendships.” 3. “to remind us all that there are amazing children like Maddi trying to improve the lives of others during a time when we hear about all the horrible things happening.” Following the initial release of the widely shared prom picture in 2013, Mike Larson kept the public informed on the couple’s post-prom developments.
He rejoiced in 2019 when the post received one million shares and his text was shared all over the world. “Many have asked how Jon is doing,” he added, explaining how everyone was doing. He is still living at home and is doing well. Mike further disclosed that Maddi, who is now married, doesn’t consider this a unique experience and occasionally feels “embarrassed” by all the attention. “Thanks to everyone who has wished them well,” Mike said at the end of the message.
More than 16 years ago, when Jon was diagnosed with autism, his father imagined a number of other scenarios. One was that due to his autism, his son will never attend a prom. However, Maddi made it possible for Jon to have a great night at prom in addition to attending it! Mike Larson remarked, “I never imagined that it would happen for our family, and not only did it happen, but it happened in such a beautiful way.” And it is more than I could have ever imagined for it to continue and improve the lives of others. It will rank among the most pleasant recollections we have ever had.
Mike Larson published this on Monday, January 19, 2015. The fact that there are still kind and compassionate people in the world gives us all hope, and I truly appreciate that. Feel free to share this story with your loved ones like the father requested if you enjoy it as well! This young woman is very kind and thoughtful for asking his parents first. I hope they had a lot of pictures shot of them so they would have a memento of that momentous occasion!
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