We can all see why this endearing prom story is going viral once more.
Occasionally, common individuals accomplish exceptional deeds that restore our faith in humanity.
This touching post was shared on Facebook a few years ago; why not forward it? Every time I see that, I cry.
It is the tale of a man who remembers the day a female showed up at work out of the blue and asked about his autistic child.
Children with exceptional disabilities usually have the same desires as other children their age. Finding a date for the school dance would be a top priority for any 17-year-old, therefore it could be devastating to one’s self-esteem if no one accepts to go.
For an adolescent, going solo might be the same as social disaster; although it might not seem like a big deal in the grand scheme of things, this can drastically damage self-esteem.
Children with particular issues, like autism, could be even more sensitive and incapable of processing information completely.
In this story, the father, Mike Larson, chose to document his son Jon’s autism-related preparations for his high school prom. The complete account was subsequently shared and adored by millions of Facebook fans once he uploaded it there. Check it out down below!
“This is my son Jon with his prom date Maddi,” Mike said as the caption for a prom photo he posted. He is a junior with autism. Approximately one month ago, senior Maddi came to visit me in my office (I teach at their school) and asked if she may bring Jon to prom.
Mike said, “Maddi had met Jon through a school organization that promotes friendships between kids with special needs and regular kids. It’s also his prom because he’s a junior, she explained. To put it plainly, I think he ought to have the choice to quit. I told her it would be an honor to have him go with her.
Maddi not only wanted Jon to go with her to her senior prom, but she also wanted him to have the time of his life. After doing some research, she learned that orange was Jon’s favorite color, which gave her the opportunity to buy a shirt in that shade. She also made reservations for their group (which they doubled with another couple) at the restaurant that provided his favorite foods, chicken fingers, French fries, and chocolate milk.
Before asking Jon to the dance, Maddi wanted to make sure his father would be okay with it.
Mike Larson stated, “For me, it was a pretty amazing experience,” to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Mike says there are three reasons why he shared the prom photo on social media.
1.”to demonstrate support for groups that foster these friendships.”
2.”to express solidarity with exceptional children like Jon.”
3.”to remind us all that, in the midst of all the horrible things happening, there are amazing kids like Maddi working to improve the lives of others.”
Following the first release of the widely popular prom picture in 2013, Mike Larson gave updates on the couple’s lives after prom.
When the post garnered one million shares in 2019 and his writing was viewed globally, he was ecstatic. He also gave an update on everyone’s health, saying, “A lot of people have been wondering how Jon is doing. He is still living at home and is doing well.
Mike claimed that Maddi, who is now married, sometimes feels “embarrassed” by the attention as she didn’t think it was particularly noteworthy. In his parting remarks, Mike thanked everyone who had sent their best wishes to the couple.
More than 16 years ago, when Jon’s father received the diagnosis of autism, he had several different expectations. One was that there would never be a prom for his autistic son. But Maddi made it feasible for Jon to enjoy a fantastic prom night in addition to attending it!
“It’s something our family has never experienced before, and not only did it occur, but it did so in a very lovely way,” Mike Larson remarked. And it’s beyond my wildest dreams to watch it keep enhancing the lives of others. It will rank among the highlights of our lives.
Knowing that there are still kind and compassionate people in the world gives us all hope. Please follow the father’s advise and share this story with your friends and family if you too find it enjoyable.
It shows how considerate and polite this young lady is to ask his parents first. I hope they got a ton of photos shot of themselves to remember that memorable day!
