Sometimes, we meet ordinary people who do extraordinary things, reminding us that kindness and compassion still exist in the world.
This heartwarming story first appeared on Facebook a few years ago, but every time I see it, it brings a smile to my face. It’s so beautiful that I just have to share it again.
It’s about a dad who shares a moment with his son that shows the power of love, acceptance, and understanding. The dad, Mike Larson, tells the story of how a kind-hearted girl named Maddi asked to take his son, Jon, who has autism, to his high school prom.
Children with special needs, just like any other kids, have dreams and hopes. One of those dreams might be finding a date for a school dance. For a 17-year-old, asking someone to go to prom can feel like a huge deal.
If no one agrees, it can hurt their confidence. Going alone might seem like a small thing to adults, but for teenagers, it can feel like a big social failure.
For kids with special needs, like Jon, understanding social situations can be even more difficult. They might not have the tools to handle rejection or the feelings that come with not fitting in.
Mike Larson decided to share his feelings on Facebook about what happened when his son, Jon, was getting ready for his prom. The post has touched millions of people’s hearts. It shows the kindness of a stranger and the unexpected beauty of human connection.
Mike wrote, “This is my son Jon with his prom date Maddi,” along with a picture of them at the prom. “He is a junior, and he has autism. About a month ago, Maddi, a senior, came to my office (I’m a teacher at their school) and asked if Jon’s mom and I would allow her to take him to prom.”
Mike continued, “Maddi had gotten to know Jon through a school club that promotes friendships between special needs kids and regular kids. She said, ‘He’s a junior, so it’s his prom too. I just think he should have the chance to go.’ I told her we would be honored to have him go with her.”
What made Maddi’s gesture even more amazing was that she didn’t just want Jon to go to prom—she wanted him to have the best time possible. She did some research to find out Jon’s favorite color (orange) and got a dress in that color.
She even booked a table for their group at a restaurant that served Jon’s favorite food—chicken fingers, French fries, and chocolate milk.
Before asking Jon to go, Maddi made sure to get his dad’s approval. Mike later said, “It was a pretty breathtaking moment for me.”
Mike later shared why he posted about Jon and Maddi on Facebook. He wanted to:
- Show support for special kids like Jon.
- Show support for groups that promote friendships between all kinds of kids.
- Remind everyone that, even when the news is filled with bad stories, there are still amazing kids like Maddi out there, making the world a better place.
The post quickly went viral, and after it was shared more than a million times, Mike updated everyone on Jon and Maddi’s lives. He explained that Jon was doing well, still living at home, and happy.
As for Maddi, she had gotten married and was sometimes embarrassed by all the attention, explaining that she didn’t see what she did as a big deal.
Mike’s journey with Jon began when he was diagnosed with autism more than 16 years ago. Back then, Mike worried that Jon would never get to experience milestones like prom. But thanks to Maddi, Jon not only went to prom, but he had an unforgettable night.
Mike said, “It’s something I never thought would happen for our family, and not only did it happen, but it’s happened in such a beautiful way. And 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.”
As Mike wrote in a post from January 2015, “How is it possible my baby boy is 20 today? Jon, I love you so.”
Stories like these remind us that there are still wonderful, caring people in the world, and they give us hope. I hope this story touched your heart as much as it touched mine. If you feel the same way, share it with your friends and family, and spread the love.
This young lady, Maddi, was so kind and thoughtful to ask Jon’s parents first. I hope they have many photos from that special night to remember forever!
What do you think of this beautiful story? Share your thoughts below!
1 thought on “Dad celebrates teen who took his autistic son to prom”
It takes all kids of people to make up our world. The good the bad and the ugly. Is shows there are more good people than the bad or the ugly.We as parents try to raise our kids to think of others with a kind heart. Doesn’t always happen but in Jon’s case he had Maddie. May God Bless them both. Amen.