Parents of children with autism are, unfortunately, used to facing stigmas in their daily lives. So often, strangers can judge them or act harshly toward their children because they don’t understand what it’s actually like to walk in their shoes.
Sometimes, though, strangers can turn all of that around with a simple act of kindness. That’s exactly what one man practiced on his birthday, and now his actions are inspiring others around the globe.
A Birthday Celebration
A man was out to dinner with some friends one day to celebrate his 29th birthday. After the meal, the servers came over with a cake and did a short “Happy Birthday” performance. Typically in these situations, other restaurant-goers will take note and smile. Sometimes, they’ll even sing along.
On this particular day though, a young girl with autism saw the celebration and wanted to be involved.
In a video shared by Good News Correspondent on X, the girl comes over to the table and tries to blow out the candles. Immediately, her father follows and tries to stop her, but the birthday boy surprises everyone by insisting the little girl be the one to blow them out.
The smile on the little girl’s face (not to mention the one on her dad’s face) is so sweet that thousands of people shared the video and reacted to it on social media.
An Inspiring Message
In the comments, you can see how inspired people were by this man’s kindness. Parents were particularly touched and thankful to see such a positive interaction.
“As a mom, I have to say thank God for people like this young man,” one person wrote. “Others have to deal with strangers telling us that autism is not an excuse and verbally attacking us.”
Someone else gave a shout-out to the girl’s dad. “Sweet. And respect for Papa trying to do his best,” she wrote. “Our special needs kiddos are not always received positively or given much grace from strangers when they have impulsive, compulsive, sensory seeking moments.”
"If you can be anything, be nice."
“If you can be anything, be nice,” someone else added. Another person shared that sentiment: “Kind people deserve the best.”
Choosing Kindness
The reason this story touched so many people is that it inspires us all to be a little kinder in our own lives, too. Sometimes, we can get in a bad mood or feel like things aren’t going our way, and it makes us want to retreat and keep to ourselves.
But, as this man proves, choosing to lead with kindness whenever we can has the potential to light up so many lives around us — including our own. That’s why it’s important to put ourselves in other people’s shoes and why we should always try and remember that we never really know what others are going through deep down.
Whether it’s bringing someone an extra coffee, baking treats for a neighbor, or even just checking in on someone who has been having a tough time lately, these gestures matter. Besides, the more we practice leading with kindness, the more we can integrate it into our daily lives.
From there, who knows who we may inspire.
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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.