Most parents know how it feels to worry that your child is being excluded or bullied at school, but parents of children with special needs perhaps know this feeling better than anyone.
Tricia Rhynold’s seven-year-old son Timothy has severe autism spectrum disorder. He also ‘loves and plays with all of his heart,’ according to mum.
Timothy’s condition means he needs extra help at school and he sometimes struggles to make friends and join in with their games.
And although he is often invited to children’s birthday parties, she always declined in case he had a “meltdown” and accidentally took the spotlight away from the birthday child.
That was until she received a note attached to a birthday invitation from another mum who said they wanted to do everything they could to make sure Timothy was included.
The invite 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, from Canada, wrote a beautiful but heartbreaking response to the “super cool” mum who has given her hope for Timothy’s future.
The letter reads: “Dear (Super Cool) Mom,
“You wrote exactly what I needed to see that day and didn’t even know it.
“Because of your son he is included.
“Because of your son he feels wanted.
“Because of your son he has a voice.
“And I want you to know that because of you I can get through another day.
“Because of you I can get through another appointment.
“Because of you I can take more stares and more questions.
“Because of you I have hope for Timothy’s future.
“I just wanted to tell you what a fantastic job you are doing with your son.
“This mom will be RSVPing a hell yes for the first time ever. And I can’t wait.”
Tricia told Metro.co.uk: “I am so very grateful and touched that someone went out of their way to include Timothy in their own child’s special day. Sometimes we become so wrapped up in our own needs that we are unaware of others….it restored my faith in humanity.”