READ THE UPDATED STORY HERE: Birthday surprise revealed for Michigan boy ‘with no friends’
TORONTO – A Facebook birthday page for a Michigan boy has gone viral with people sending well wishes from all around the world.
Colin, who is about to turn 11 on March 9, has been diagnosed with issues similar to Asperger’s Syndrome. According to Colin’s mother Jennifer, his condition affects his social skills and “makes it difficult for him to maintain friendships at school.”
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Jennifer says when she asked her son if he wanted a party for his birthday he told her there wasn’t a point because “he has no friends.”
“He eats lunch alone in the office everyday because no one will let him sit with them, and rather than force someone to be unhappy with his presence, he sits alone in the office,” reads a Facebook post from Feb. 2.
“So I thought, if I could create a page where people could send him positive thoughts and encouraging words, that would be better than any birthday party. Please join me in making my very original son feel special on his day.”
To date, the Facebook page ‘Happy Birthday Colin’ has over 1.6 million ‘likes’ and countless of video messages and posts from people worldwide.
Jennifer says her son is still unaware of the overwhelming social media campaign surrounding him for his birthday, even though children have informed her son they have seen his story on TV. She asks people who know him not to reveal the surprise prior to his birthday.
SEND COLIN A BIRTHDAY WISH: To wish Colin a happy birthday on his Facebook page, click here.
Here’s a look at some of the well-wishes Colin has received:
The Ladies of Alpha Xi Delta at Indiana University wish Colin a ‘Happy Birthday.’
The Rosenberg Police Department in Texas also sent a message:
After requests from Facebook commentators, Jennifer also set up a PO box address for those wishing to send Colin a birthday card. The address can be found here.
When asked about her son, Jennifer says he is a kid who loves his Nintendo 3DS, and Pokemon and is “obsessed” with Doctor Who.
“He loves his family, especially his little sister. He’s loving and caring to everyone. He gets picked on at school a lot, but despite his Momma’s requests not to, he always asks the principal to not punish the offenders, because everyone deserves forgiveness,” she wrote. “He’s an amazing boy, and I swear I’m not just saying that because he’s my baby.”
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