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Boy with down syndrome comforts autistic classmate that’s upset
It's since gone viral. It's not every day you get to see a stirring moment like this.
Irene Markianou
12.10.19

A Facebook video of a boy comforting a classmate in distress has gone viral recently and very reasonably so.

The video shows a boy with Down’s syndrome trying to console a classmate who happens to be autistic. The video was recorded by their teacher who was moved by the touching moment the two shared and wanted to show the world what empathy can do. The boy can be seen wiping his classmate’s tears away, hugging him and also raising and moving the other boy’s arms probably to help him relax or cheer up.

Facebook Screenshot
Source:
Facebook Screenshot

The footage that was filmed at a school in Jalisco, western Mexico, is to prove that people are born good, and it is only societies that put labels on them and make discriminations possible. Children are pure with hearts full of love and empathy for others.

The video was posted on the Facebook page Jalisco Oculto and has gone viral within a week. It has been liked by 168K people and received 11K comments, highlighting the importance of understanding how kind people with Down’s syndrome are and how special people with autism can be.

“There is no doubt that he only lives a different [condition], but his heart is intact, these are the people I enjoy learning and valuing, this boy is a clear example of loyalty, tenderness and empathy for others, All my admiration and respect!” a Facebook user wrote (translated from Spanish).

Facebook Screenshot
Source:
Facebook Screenshot

A Twitter user, _SJPeace_, has also shared the video as well as his personal experience with a relative with Down’s syndrome. The Twitter user explained that his nephew has Down’s syndrome, but unlike the name of the condition, the boy has nothing “down” about him. He has the ability to empathize, he’s got a big heart, while he is so pure.

“My nephew has “Down” Syndrome. I put that in quotation marks because there is nothing downs about it. I’ve never seen anybody w/ the ability to empathize like he does. These kids truly have the most biggest hearts. They are so pure.”

Twitter
Source:
Twitter

This thread was received by the Twitter community with many positive comments that emphasized the importance of respecting people with differences and at the same time trying to learn from them.

“You’ve never been hugged until you’ve been hugged by a person with Down’s Syndrome, they are hugging experts. Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL people that we can all learn from.” a user wrote.

According to the National Down’s Syndrome Society, approximately one in every 700 babies in the US is born with Down’s syndrome- about 6,000 every year. The NDSS also highlights the fact that people with Down’s syndrome can attend school, work and make decisions that affect them, while they can also form relationships, vote and contribute to society in many ways. It is also clarified that, although all people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, that does not mean that they don’t possess numerous strengths and talents on various levels.

We hope that this touching story put a smile on your face, but also worked as food for thought regarding the way we see people with differences.

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