TORONTO – A Michigan boy received quite the birthday surprise Friday morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Colin, who will turn 11 on March 9, has been diagnosed with issues similar to Asperger’s Syndrome. In February, Colin’s mother Jennifer set up a Facebook page for her son, which quickly went viral with people sending well wishes from all around the world.
Thinking he was on “Good Morning America” (GMA) to help with a video game segment, the birthday boy was all smiles to learn that he and his family were on the show to celebrate his birthday. Surrounded by dozens of balloons and a birthday cake, the GMA hosts also announced that Colin and his family were leaving to Walt Disney World that afternoon to celebrate his birthday.
According to Jennifer, Colin’s condition affects his social skills and “makes it difficult for him to maintain friendships at school.”
READ MORE: ‘Secret’ Facebook page for Michigan boy with ‘no friends’ goes viral
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.”
The Facebook page “Happy Birthday Colin” has over 2.1 million ‘likes’ and countless video messages and posts from people worldwide.
On Twitter, people used the hashtag #HappyBirthdayColin to send Colin birthday well-wishes:
Jennifer says she asked people who knew him not to reveal the surprise prior to his birthday and says, before today, her son was unaware of the overwhelming social media campaign surrounding him for his birthday, even though children told Colin they saw his story on TV.
Colin’s mom says her son has also received over 40,000 letters, packages and cards from people around the world.
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:
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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