Every youngster looks forward to their birthday party but when this happens it can create a bad memory for the rest of their lives.
Out Went The Invitations
Gerald wanted to make sure that none of his classmates were left out from attending his birthday party so he sent out thirty invitations.
Dealing With A Challenge
Gerald has a disability that he deals with. He is developmentally challenged because he required several surgeries to expand his skull.
Limited Acceptance
Although Gerald’s family accepts him for the way he is, his classmates and their families don’t seem to be able to do this.
The Excuses
Gerald’s mom did call some of the parents of the invited children to see why they were not coming. Some of the responses were sickening. Such as:
“My child can’t play with yours because he is too different.”
Just A Little Longer
His mother suggested that they cut the cake, but Gerald was still hopeful that some of them would show up. He asked her to wait a little longer.
Family Tries To Make Up For The Absence
Many family members showed up to help make up for the no shows, but it wasn’t the same for Gerald.
Came and Gone
Gerald’s birthday came and went with no memories of a wonderful birthday party.
His Grandmother is Furious
Amelia, Gerald’s grandmother could not forget about the incident.
Grandma takes to Facebook to vent. She posts about the incident where nobody he invited showed up, no birthday cards and no presents. Everything that makes a birthday special for a nine-year-old.
Amelia asked people to send cards to her and she would pass them along to Gerald.
In an interview, Amelia broke into tears as she recalled the day waiting for his friends to come. Gerald looks at his grandma as her voice breaks.
How Did Gerald Feel?
Gerald summed up how he felt in just one important word “SAD”
The World Responded
Mail Lady Overwhelmed
So many cards and gifts poured in for Gerald that the mail lady had a hard time delivering them
- One man gave him a $100 to buy whatever he wanted
- He was awarded an honorary badge from local police officers
- An eleven-year-old who felt really bad for what had happened to Gerald sent him his used matchbox cards.
A Special Gift
Gerald Loves K-9 Dogs
City Counsel had a special meeting that they invited Gerald to. Here he was given some gifts and the chance to play with a real K-9 dog.
How Does Gerald Feel Now?
Gerald certainly feels special but out of all the gifts that he received what he says he wants the most is friends.
A Follow-Up
Another parent who has a child with the same disease as Gerald has arranged a play date for the two of them. Finally, perhaps Gerald is going to have a friend who understands what it’s like to be different.
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