Nearly 10 years ago this prom photo went viral. Now we are sharing it again to remain every one of the kind of joy kindness can bring to someone’s life.
Prom Photo Goes Viral Again Reminding Everyone of the Joy Kindness Can Bring
This is a photo of Maddie and Jon. It was Jon’s dad who submitted the photo to the Asperger’s Syndrome Awareness page.
As Jon’s dad explained, Maddie was Jon’s prom date. “He is a junior and he has autism. About a month ago, Maddie, 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. Maddie had gotten to know Jon through a school club that promotes friendships between special needs kids and regular kids.”
As Maddie explained to Jon’s dad, “‘He’s a junior,’ she explained. ’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.”
“During the next couple weeks, she asked what his favorite color was (orange) so she could get a dress in that color,” he continued. “She also made reservations for their group (they doubled with another couple) at a restaurant that served his favorite food – chicken fingers and French fries.”
At the time, Jon’s dad wrote that he “encourages everyone to like and share this for three reasons:
1. To show support for special kids like Jon
2. To show support for groups that promote these friendships
3. To remind us all, in a time when we hear about all the terrible things going on, that there are wonderful kids like Maddie working to make other’s lives better.
How amazing is that? And although this photo was first published in 2013, people are still commenting on it today.
“Very beautiful picture, of friendship,” one commenter wrote. “What a lovely thing to do. I bet they both had fun,” another added.
What act of kindness have you done today?