Timothy Rhynold suffers from severe autism spectrum disorder, needing extra care and attention at school.
Despite the fact that he ‘loves and plays with all his heart’, his mother Tricia explains that he struggles to make friends and join their games.
This sadly means that he has to reject many invites to classmates’ birthday parties and gatherings.
However he has finally received an invite he can attend- and he can’t wait!
Writing on her blogThe book of Timothy, mum-of-three Tricia explains:
"We parents of the "specials" know only too well the hurts our kids feel when they are left out of the social gatherings relative to childhood.
"Organized sports, play dates, sleep overs and yes- the dreaded birthday parties.
"I can say whole-heartedly that my son has not attended a single one. We have received countless invitations in the few years Timothy has attended school; of kids who mercilessly invite the entire class~ and for that I'm grateful (don't get me wrong). Really cool sounding parties too.
"I wonder if the parents know what would happen if I brought Timothy? The interruptions....the meltdowns.....how I would hate to take the spotlight from the birthday child.
"So we politely decline. Every. Single. One.
"Until this one arrived……….”
The note reads:
‘Carter sat beside Timothy at school and he always talks about him. I really hope he can come. We are renting a bounce castle that we can attach a small bounce slide at the bottom. We will also have water balloons and water guns.
‘Maybe Timothy can come earlier in the day if it would be too much with the whole class. Let me know how we can make it work.’
Tricia continues: "I don't know this Mom or even this child personally. I want to. Desperately.
"This Mom wrote exactly what I needed to see that day and didn't even know it.
"This Mom gives me hope for Timothy's future when sometimes I get stuck in the darkness of his diagnosis.
"This Mom is everything I strive to be.
"This Mom rocks.
"This ------>(ME) Mom will be RSVPing a HELL YES for the first time ever. And I can't wait.”
Aw we love this!