\nNow and then, we come across regular folk who do exceptional things that restore our faith in humanity.\n
This emotional post was shared on Facebook a couple of years ago, but it melts my heart every time I see it \u2013 so why not spread it forward?\n
\n
It\u2019s about a dad who talks about the day when a girl suddenly came into his office and asked permission to pop a question to his autistic son.\n
Children with special needs often just want experiences similar to what any child their age might want. Finding a date for a school dance is a high priority for any 17-year-old, so it can be a tough blow to one\u2019s self-confidence if no one agrees to go with them.\n
To go alone \u2013 though not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things \u2013 can be tantamount to social ruin for a teenager; failure to secure a partner can therefore pose a serious threat to self-confidence.\n
Some kids can be ultra-sensitive and do not yet have the tools they need to understand everything just yet \u2013 this applies even more to children with special needs, such as autism.\n
The father in this story, Mike Larson, decided to write down what happened when his autistic son, Jon, prepared for his high school prom. He then published the whole story on Facebook, where it has now been shared and liked by millions of people. Read it below!\n
\u201cThis is my son Jon with his prom date Maddi,\u201d wrote Mike in the caption of his prom photo post. \u201cHe is a junior and he has autism. About a month ago, Maddi, a senior, came to my office (I\u2019m a teacher at their school) and asked if Jon\u2019s mom and I would allow her to take him to prom.\u201d\n
Mike continued, \u201cMaddi had gotten to know Jon through a school club that promotes friendships between special needs kids and regular kids. \u201cHe\u2019s a junior,\u201d she explained \u201cso it\u2019s his prom too. I just think he should have the chance to go.\u201d I told her we would be honored to have him go with her.\u201d\n
Not only did Maddi decide to take Jon to her senior prom, but she also wanted him to have the best night ever. She did some investigating and learned about Jon\u2019s favorite color (orange), so she could get a dress in that color. She also booked a table for their group (they doubled with another couple) at the restaurant that served his favorite food \u2013 chicken fingers, French fries, and chocolate milk.\n
Update: I\u2019m reposting to celebrate this post from 6 years ago. Last week it went past 1 million shares. I have received\u2026\n
Posted by Mike Larson on Saturday, April 27, 2013
\nBefore inviting Jon to the dance, Maddi wanted to ask his father if it would be okay.\n
\u201cIt was a pretty breathtaking moment for me,\u201d Mike Larson told Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.\n
According to Mike, he had three reasons for making the prom photo post on social media.\n
1. \u201cto show support for special kids like Jon.\u201d
\n2. \u201cto show support for groups that promote these friendships.\u201d
\n3. \u201cto remind us all, in a time when we hear about all the terrible things going on, that there are wonderful kids like Maddi working to make other\u2019s lives better.\u201c
\nThe viral prom photo was originally posted in 2013, and after that, Mike Larson continued to give updates on what happened to the couple after the prom.\n
In 2019, he celebrated that the post had reached 1 million shares and that his text had been spread worldwide. He also explained how everyone was doing: \u201cMany have asked how Jon is doing. He is well and happy, still living at home.\u201d\n
Mike also revealed that Maddi is now married and sometimes feels \u201cembarrassed\u201d by all the attention \u2013 she didn\u2019t see this as a special thing. Mike concluded the post by saying, \u201cThanks to all who have wished them well.\u201d\n
When Jon was diagnosed with autism more than 16 years ago, his father made up several scenarios in his head. One was that his son would never go to a prom because of his autism. But thanks to Maddi, Jon was not just able to go to prom but have a wonderful night!\n
\u201dIt\u2019s something I never thought would happen for our family, and not only did it happen, but it\u2019s happened in such a beautiful way,\u201d Mike Larson said. \u201dAnd to have it go on and bless the lives of other people is beyond anything I ever could have hoped for. It will be one of the nicest memories of our lives.\u201d\n
How is it possible my baby boy is 20 today? Jon, I love you so.\n
Posted by Mike Larson on Monday, January 19, 2015
\nI can really appreciate that there are still nice and warm people out there \u2013 it spreads hope to us all. If you also like this story, feel free to follow the father\u2019s request and share it with your loved ones too!\n
This young lady is so sweet & considerate for asking his parents first I hope they had many photos taken of them to remember that special event!\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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