Eleven-year-old Jeaden Paquette from Prince George, B.C., sometimes has trouble making friends at school.
He was recently diagnosed with autism and his mom, Jolene, said he really struggles relating to children his own age.
Jeaden’s 12th birthday is coming up and when Jolene asked him what he wanted to do he said “nothing,” because none of his classmates come to his parties.
“He was having a rough time at school,” she said. “No one ever comes to his parties.”
“I try to explain to him that they probably just don’t understand you. If you ignore people at school they won’t want to come to your party.”
So Jolene decided to turn to Facebook for help.
She created a page called “A 12th Birthday Wish” and she and some of her friends wanted to see how many people they could get to come to Jeaden’s party this Saturday.
The response has been overwhelming.
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Once word spread on the social media site, people from around the world have been sending Jeaden birthday cards and Jolene estimates that more than 500 people will be coming to his birthday party this Saturday in Prince George.
They are going to be having a Nerf battle, (as Jeaden loves playing with his Nerf gun), there will be roller skating, cake and food and candy goody bags for all the children.
Jolene said the community has really rallied around her son, with Hasbro sending a Nerf package, Walmart providing the drinks and a local bakery will be making some huge cakes for everyone.
“It’s going to be exciting,” said Jolene. “I hope to see the happy look on Jeaden’s face. This is the year we get to see that smile that we don’t get to see very often.”
Facebook Canada heard about Jeaden’s party and sent a video message to the young boy.
“We wish Jeaden a very happy birthday this weekend with the support and well wishes from his hundreds of new friends,” said Meg Sinclair, communications manager at Facebook Canada. “It’s inspiring to see how the Facebook community came together to make this birthday so special.”
April is Autism Awareness Month and Corey Walker, a representative from the Northern Autism Society of B.C., said stories like Jeaden’s put a human side to the autism story.
“People hear all these facts about autism, now they can put a real face to autism,” he said.
“It’s more than what any organization can do on their own.”
Walker said the social isolation that Jeaden is feeling is very common among those with autism. He would like people to take the time to learn about the real facts of autism.
“Underneath this label is a real life person who eats, sleeps, breathes like everyone else,” said Walker. “They often have a special contribution to make to society, so don’t underestimate anyone with autism.”
Jolene hopes people who come to Jeaden’s party will see that side of her son.
“It brings tears to my eyes,” she said. “I’ve been getting so many messages from other parents of kids with autism. It’s given me hope. They’ve been telling me what their kids with autism are doing now and I’m hopeful for the future.”
“The response is wonderful, I can’t thank everyone enough.”
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