When parents wave their children off to school every morning, they hope they fit in, that other kids will be kind to them, that they feel included and have fun.
For mums and dads whose children have special needs however, the worry is a daily companion. In fact, sometimes these parents simply have to accept that the school day is a great deal more difficult for their child than it is for others and do everything possible to make it less so.
That’s how Leah Paske was feeling about her little boy’s time at middle school, before a kind and generous football player stepped in to make a lonely situation a lot more fun.
Posting a moving tribute to the sports star, Leah explained her overwhelming anxiety about sending her son, who has autism, off every morning to face the challenges of the day.
“Sometimes I’m grateful for his autism. That may sound like a terrible thing to say, but in some ways I think, I hope, it shields him. He doesn’t seem to notice when people stare at him when he flaps his hands. He doesn’t seem to notice that he doesn’t get invited to birthday parties anymore. And he doesn’t seem to mind if he eats lunch alone.
It’s one of my daily questions for him. Was there a time today you felt sad? Who did you eat lunch with today? Sometimes the answer is a classmate, but most days it’s nobody. Those are the days I feel sad for him, but he doesn’t seem to mind. He is a super sweet child, who always has a smile and hug for everyone he meets.”
This week the school had some special visitors, the stars of Florida State University. Unbeknownst to his mum, Leah’s little boy was happily enjoying lunch with FSU wide receiver Travis Rudolph.
Leah says: “A friend of mine sent this beautiful picture to me today and when I saw it with the caption “Travis Rudolph is eating lunch with your son” I replied “who is that?” He said “FSU football player”, then I had tears streaming down my face.
Travis Rudolph, a wide receiver at Florida State, and several other FSU players visited my sons school today. I’m not sure what exactly made this incredibly kind man share a lunch table with my son, but I’m happy to say that it will not soon be forgotten.
This is one day I didn’t have to worry if my sweet boy ate lunch alone, because he sat across from someone who is a hero in many eyes. Travis Rudolph thank you so much, you made this momma exceedingly happy, and have made us fans for life!”
Read Leah’s full post here:
