* Feature image uses photo by Ben White on Unsplash.
Sending your child on a flight by themselves can be anxiety-inducing for any parent or family. However, if your child has autism, that experience can be even scarier for the kid and the parent.
That was the situation Alexa Bjornson was in back in Summer 2019 when she sent her seven-year-old autistic son on a flight to see his dad -- all by himself.
Landon Bjornson: The Amazing 7-Year-Old's Incredible Solo Flight
Alexa wrote a note for her son, Landon, to give the person sitting next to him on the plane. Her goal was to alleviate her anxiety before the flight from Las Vegas to Oregon. She also included $10 as an incentive to be kind.
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“I was feeling anxious, and [Landon] was super excited to get to his dad and cousins. I was more worried about missing him than how he would do on the plane,” Alexa told Bored Panda. “That was probably his fifth or sixth flight, so he knows what to do and how to act. I was just worried about him being ‘annoying’ to his seat partner.”
She added that she usually would try and fly with her son, but it wasn’t possible that year. “This year, we had a newborn baby, and funds were too low for me to fly three of us there and then two of us back,” Alexa explained. “Landon was also having some bullying issues, so we just wanted him to be able to enjoy the rest of his summer!”
In the note, Alexa explained her son has high-functioning autism, and he might be nervous and ask, “are we there yet” a lot. She then asked the person to just please make him feel safe and comfortable.
“I really couldn’t think of any other way to get my point and goal across besides a letter with an explanation and incentive for being kind. I wrote the letter an hour before we left for the airport,” she added.
The Heartwarming Response a Young Autistic Traveler Got While Flying Alone
Alexa’s fears were erased when she received a photo and message from Ben Pedraza, the man who wound up sitting next to her son.
“I was Landon’s seat neighbor for his flight to Portland,” he wrote in a screenshot that Alexa shared on Facebook. “He did ask if we were there yet several times, but he was a great travel buddy. We had a good time and played a few rounds of rock-paper-scissors. He’s a great kid, and you’re a lucky mom.”
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As for the $10 Alexa included with the note, Ben revealed it wasn’t necessary, and that he donated it to Autism-Society.org on behalf of Landon.
“We were cracking jokes, and after a while, he asked me to quit making dad jokes,” Pedraza told KATU.
“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!!!!” Alexa wrote in her post.
What Landon Bjornson and Ben Pedraza Can Teach Us about Practicing Kindness
Thanks to Alexa’s note, Ben was prepared to deal with Landon on that flight. The fact that he took extra steps to show him kindness resonated with his mom and went viral. It also inspired others to show acts of kindness in their own lives.
Whether it’s giving up your seat to someone struggling on public transit, being kind to the passenger next to you on a plane or train, or taking a deep breath and not reacting to the person who cut you off in traffic, there are plenty of smaller ways to practice kindness in our daily commuting lives.
We don’t always know what challenges someone is going through in their own lives or why they may be acting a certain way. But we do know that by trying to control our reactions in such situations, and by putting our best foot forward, we usually get the best results — for us and them.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.