If you’ve ever gone to take a picture with Santa at the mall, you know that even the most easy going child will get agitated waiting on the endless lines surrounded by other restless children.
In order to give a young boy named Brayden with autism a great experience, this determined mall Santa got down on the floor to make it happen.
When Brayden arrived at the event with his mother Erin Deely, he shyly hung off to the side by some of the Christmas props. Once Santa put a snow globe on the floor, Brayden was fascinated and eventually made his way over to play along. After about 20 minutes, Deely explained her six-year-old finally smiled and gave Santa a high-five.
“Santa creeped down to the floor. Neither of them spoke. Santa began playing with the stuffed animal Brayden brought. All of a sudden, they had bonded without either saying a word.”
As part of the Caring Santa event, which was hosted by Autism Speaks and the Simon Property Group, children with autism and other special needs had the opportunity to meet Santa in a welcoming environment. Autism Speaks explained that the event provides “a more controlled and welcoming environment. Families can sign up for their own appointments, so that their child can have a calm, stress-free Santa experience.”
Had the Caring Santa event not have happened, Deely and her family would have normally skipped the Christmas tradition altogether. “The anxiety, the waiting on the long lines . . . it would be too much for Brayden and for us,” she said.
“Brayden doesn’t like posing for photos and being told to smile for the camera. This Santa was perfect.”
Can you believe how incredible this Santa was during The Caring Santa event? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and please SHARE with your friends on Facebook.
[Image source: Autism Speaks]