By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-24 22:11:02 | Updated at 2024-09-30 19:24:03
5 days ago
A Utah teenager with Down Syndrome has melted the hearts of the internet after going viral on TikTok.
In a video shared to the platform by his mom Kimberly Dowdell, 13-year-old Jack waits for his school friends to pick him up and take him to the movies.
'He wants to be included and have friends like everyone else - today, his friends invited him to the movies and it made his day!' Kimberly captioned it.
In the clip, a shy but excited Jack is seen waiting on his front porch with an empty plastic popcorn bucket and drink bottle.
'Jack, how excited are you?' asks Kimberly, before Jack grins and gives her a thumbs up.
A Utah teenager with Down Syndrome has gone viral after his inclusive school friends took him to the movies (all pictured)
Jack's school friends - two teenage boys and a girl - then arrive with their mom and give the stunned youngster a warm welcome.
'What's up, Jack?' exclaims one as he goes in for a high five. 'What's up bro?'
After returning from the film, Kimberly quizzes Jack on how the outing went.
'It was good,' he smiled. 'It was fun. I hung out with my friends.'
The heartwarming video has since racked up almost 7million views on TikTok and counting.
'Those kids were raised right. I'd be writing "thank you" notes to their parents,' commented one viewer.
'Those kids are being raised the right way,' added another.
One mom wrote, 'My son has epilepsy and cerebral palsy and I pray my son receives this type of love. No one understands the fear you have as a person to trust other with your precious baby.'
In the clip, a shy but excited Jack, 13, is seen waiting on his front porch for his friends
Jack was beaming as he posed for a group photo with his friends on the front lawn
Kimberly further explained the touching moment in the caption of the video.
'Yesterday, Jack's friends from school called and asked if they could take him to a movie. Of course, I said YES!' she wrote.
'Jack anxiously anticipated their arrival and was so excited to see them. I love how much they embrace him and treat him like one of their own. It completely made his day!' she continued.
'Make the invitation, put forth the effort – you will never regret the outcome and the good it will do for someone like Jack.'
