If you know my 13-year-old son, you know he has a heart of gold. ❤️
That’s why it breaks me to share what he recently went through at summer camp.
While he was there, other kids stole his money, took his paintball wristband, called him cruel names, told him he was “dumb,” said nobody liked him, and even made disturbing threats against our family.
As a parent, hearing those things was absolutely devastating.
No child deserves to be treated that way.
Especially not a child as kind, caring, and genuine as my son.
My son happens to have autism, but what defines him isn’t a diagnosis. What defines him is his character.
He’s the kid who worries about other people’s feelings.
The kid who tries to include others.
The kid who sees the good in people, even when they haven’t earned it.
The kid who treats others with kindness simply because that’s who he is.
And yet, despite everything that happened, something incredible happened too.
He came home smiling.
Instead of focusing on the people who hurt him, he talked about the activities he enjoyed, the things he learned, and the fun moments he experienced.
His spirit wasn’t broken.
His kindness wasn’t taken away.
His ability to see the good in people remained stronger than the hurt others tried to cause.
Honestly, I don’t know if I would have shown the same strength.
What those kids failed to understand is that their words do not define him.
Their cruelty does not determine his worth.
And their actions say far more about them than they ever will about him.
What I see when I look at my son is courage.
Resilience.
Compassion.
Integrity.
And a strength that shines brightest when life is difficult.
I couldn’t be more proud of the young man he is becoming.
So today, I want him to know something important.
For every bully who tried to make him feel small, there are countless people who see how special he truly is.
People who admire his strength.
People who appreciate his kindness.
People who respect his heart.
People who value him exactly as he is.
To my son:
Never let anyone convince you that your kindness is weakness.
Never let cruel people determine how you see yourself.
The world needs more people like you—people who remain kind even when others choose not to be.
You are loved.
You are valued.
You are appreciated.
And I will always be proud to call you my son. ❤️
