11 year old Austin Mendrala suffers from Tourette's syndrome and autism. The tough combination meant that he did not have a lot of friends. Having to play by himself all summer, the loneliness was affecting him badly. As a desperate measure, his mother put out a plea on Facebook asking local parents to bring their children to the Mastricola Elementary School playground so her son could make some friends.
Her good intentions began on a very bad note as mother and child sat there by the playground for a long time with no one coming. Austin broke down and cried for nearly an hour sitting on his mother's lap, sure that no one was going to show up.
That was when the local Merrimack police cars stopped in front of them.
The policemen got out of their car and instantly focused all their attention on making Austin Mendrala smile and laugh. They let him sit in their patrol cars and have their police hats too. Soon, a fire engine and an ambulance popped by and fire fighters and EMT staff got out to join in the fun even as a bewildered mother watched her son's tears turn into non-stop squeals of joy.
How did this happen?
While parents had chosen not to respond to the plea of Austin's mother, a city detective Chris Spillane was moved by the post on Facebook and asked the police department to help make the little boy's day grand. The officers gladly obliged and then passed on the message to the fire department too.
Her good intentions began on a very bad note as mother and child sat there by the playground for a long time with no one coming. Austin broke down and cried for nearly an hour sitting on his mother's lap, sure that no one was going to show up.
That was when the local Merrimack police cars stopped in front of them.
The policemen got out of their car and instantly focused all their attention on making Austin Mendrala smile and laugh. They let him sit in their patrol cars and have their police hats too. Soon, a fire engine and an ambulance popped by and fire fighters and EMT staff got out to join in the fun even as a bewildered mother watched her son's tears turn into non-stop squeals of joy.
How did this happen?
While parents had chosen not to respond to the plea of Austin's mother, a city detective Chris Spillane was moved by the post on Facebook and asked the police department to help make the little boy's day grand. The officers gladly obliged and then passed on the message to the fire department too.
“Austin told me that it was the best day he ever had. He was jumping up and down, he was so excited. Merrimack police and firefighters are heroes."
- Delilah Mendrala, Austin's mother.
Author's note:
This is part of my #BlogchatterA2Z and #AtoZChallenge where I will be focusing on Real Life Heroes of Kindness and Compassion.
Of course, I have been tracking these lovely human beings for years now and have found children as young as six years old and old women in their eighties from across the world who will restore your faith in humanity.
Want more stories of compassion to brighten up your day? Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' can be found here:
That is a lovely gesture! I'm sure the little boy would have been overjoyed.
ReplyDeleteLovely gesture to bring a smile on the kids face.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of the men in the uniforms! :)
ReplyDeleteAwww my heart! The men in uniforms were so sweet to do that.
ReplyDeletewoow! this is interesting
ReplyDeleteMy heart ached to read the first few lines that we are living in a world sans compassion. But the next part made me smile. Such a heartwarming gesture to make the little boy happy. We need more such people.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful story, doc. Shows that kindness exists everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a heart-warming gesture. I am sure Austin and his mom will not forget this lovely deed by the local police and firefighters for a long long time!
ReplyDelete