Raising a child with autism isn’t an easy job. Many people aren’t familiar with the disorder and can stereotype autistic children when they act a bit differently.
“In different ways and to different degrees, people in many countries view autism as a source of disappointment, annoyance, shame, annoyance or worse,” Interactive Autism Network explains.
Luckily, this is a story about someone who looked past the stigma…
This week, a heartwarming encounter between a grocery store employee and an autistic teen has been going viral.
Seventeen-year-old Jack Ryan Edward was shopping with his father Sid at the local Rouses Market in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this past Sunday. While the two were there, Sid noticed his son was entranced by the employee stocking orange juice.
At first, Sid thought Jack Ryan may be thirsty. But, the more he looked, he realized Jack Ryan was watching the employee, 20-year-old Jordan Taylor.
When Jordan noticed Jack Ryan’s interest in what he was doing, he turned to the autistic teen and asked if he’d like to join him.
In an interview with WAFB, Jordan said:
“Something in my mind was just like, ‘Ask if he wants to help you.'”
For the next thirty minutes, Jordan and Jack Ryan stocked the shelves together, with Jordan handing the items to Jack Ryan and Jack Ryan placing them in their proper place.
Jack Ryan’s father immediately started to record.
“It was a big deal,” Sid later explained.
“To me when you go to a grocery store with an autistic kid, especially when they’re young, people don’t understand, they’re not very accepting.”
“Somehow, this young man reached my son… He went into Jack Ryan’s world.”
After the encounter, Sid sent the video to Jack Ryan’s sister Delaney who later posted it online.
Since being uploaded, the footage has been shared more than 9k times.
Alongside the videos, Delaney wrote:
“This young man took the time to slow down and allow Jack Ryan to help for over 30 minutes, guiding him as he finished his task.”
“He could have ignored him. He could have made an excuse and said he couldn’t allow him to help.”
“Instead, he let him have his moment and in turn gave my family a moment we will never forget.”
In the footage, Jordan told Jack Ryan he wanted to go back to college.
In an effort to repay him for his kindness, Delaney set up a GoFundMe account towards his education which has since raised nearly $100,000.
In an interview with The Post, Delaney said:
“My mom and I are both special education teachers and I have to say, if he does go on to college, I may put a bug in his ear to pursue that path because people like my brothers and my students need people like him around.”
Since the video was shared online, people are enamored with the kindness Jordan displayed. Comments on his GoFundMe read:
“Jordan I read this story with tears in my eyes. I don’t think you realize the power of what you did… I am the mother of a child with special needs. May God continue to bless you.”
“Jordan, May the Lord bless you and open doors for you. Your act of kindness and compassion is much needed in today’s climate. Your family has a lot to be proud of.”
“This video of these 2 men speaks volumes on SO MANY levels… As an Aunt, with a nephew with Asperger’s, I see his daily struggles, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Watch the heartwarming moment below.
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