Mom sends Son with Autism on a Plane with $10 Note
As a parent to a child on the spectrum, I worry constantly about how people will treat my son.
All parents do. When the child has special needs, it’s time a hundred.
I worry when I’m there. I worry when I’m not there.
He can be loud. He can be challenging. He’s a big kid. And yes, he can be funny and adorable too. There is no doubt about that.
But he is spirited. And like every other parent, I worry.
I’ve said numerous times, the problem is in no way my son with autism. The problem is how people react to my son with autism.
Stories like this one warm my heart and remind me there is still good in the world.
Unexpected Buddies
Alexa Bjornson said her son was flying solo for the first time to visit his dad in Oregon.
The 7-year-old has high-functioning autism, and like many children may frequently ask, “Are we there yet?”
Mom said she worried that her son, Landon, might wear down his Southwest Airlines seatmate, so she sought to turn the challenge into an incentive.
She wrote a note explaining her son has autism and she tucked $10 into the note as a thank you for whoever might help her son feel safe and comfortable.
“I thought, ‘How do I make is so whoever’s sitting next to him won’t home at him as a burden but more of like, I can help this kiddo get through his day,’ ” she told KATU.
Landon hit the jackpot. He wound up next to Ben Pedraza, who said he didn’t need the $10 because the two got along great. He took a photo of Landon and himself on the nonstop flight and sent a comforting message to mom.
From Alexa’s Facebook Page:
‘Today my son took his first flight to Oregon to see his dad. I sent Landon with a letter to give to whoever sat next to me saying he has high functioning autism so he might be nervous and ask you “are we there yet” a lot, and please just make him feel safe and comfortable, with 10 dollars in the note. And this is what I just received. I am so grateful to this individual, and that there are still kind people in the world who make a difference like I try myself to do as well. Thank you so much Ben!!!!’
Pedraza told KATU that Landon was an easy traveling companion but after a bit of time he told him to quick cracking dad jokes!
Oh the bluntness of a child. There is nothing better.
As a mom, and specifically a mom to a child with autism, thank you Ben. You made a difference to this little boy and especially his mother.
You also reminded a whole community that there are good people out there.
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