logo
facebook.com/sheilaweidner.seelye
facebook.com/sheilaweidner.seelye

8-Year-Old Boy with Autism Can't Go to Santa Because of Anxiety — Santa Comes to Calm Him

Brittany Chalmers
Dec 26, 2021
01:55 P.M.

In 2019 a mother went to a shopping mall in Gurnee, Illinois, with her autistic son. The youngster wanted to interact with Santa, but his anxiety got the better of him. However, Santa did something special.

Advertisement

A boy desperately wanted to meet Santa, but he could not bring himself to do it. Photos of the 8-year-old who has autism went viral after Santa approached him and did the sweetest thing.

Mom, Sheila Seelye, shared the encounter on her Facebook page and told netizens that her son Baiz Weerts had dreamed about meeting Santa and getting a photo with him since he was two years old. However, his anxiety held him back.

An autistic boy is too scared to approach Santa so Santa came to him | Photo: Facebook/sheilaweidner.seelye

An autistic boy is too scared to approach Santa so Santa came to him | Photo: Facebook/sheilaweidner.seelye

Advertisement

HE DOES NOT COPE WELL

Seelye said her son would ask her to take him to the mall most weekends. He was determined to interact with Santa. The mother expressed:

"He's like I'm gonna do it this time!' But as soon as we get there, he freezes."

Seelye stated that she would often sit with her son as he managed his feelings. The youngster's "selective mutism" prevents him from interacting socially in public spaces. While he is comfortable at home, he does not cope well elsewhere.

Advertisement

SOMEONE WAS WATCHING HIM

The "Christmas miracle" which involved her son's encounter with Santa left the mother speechless. When Baiz's twin sister, Layna, asked their mother if she could have her photograph taken with Santa, the unexpected happened.

While they were shopping at the Gurnee Mills, Layna ran straight toward Santa, and Baiz was sad because he could not do the same. He became angry and got into the shopping cart. As he cried, he didn't know someone had been watching him.

Advertisement

SANTA APPROACHED THE BOY

Santa noticed what was happening and quietly walked toward Baiz. To help calm down the youngster, the white-bearded man gently rubbed the boy's head. In a clip shared by Seelye, Santa then handed her son a candy cane.

The mother shared: "Santa came over to Baiz SO SLOW AND SWEET! Just talking to him, Baiz had huge tears running down his face, anxious spots breaking out, frantically rolling the belt clip, happy but nervous."

Advertisement

HAVING A TEMPER TANTRUM

The mother stated that she had never seen her son crying so happily before. She added: "He had a smile while crying!!!" All the while, Santa kept reassuring Baiz. He told him: "You're OK, buddy. You're gonna be OK."

Seelye explained that people often think her son is looking for attention or having a "temper tantrum." However, she puts forward that this Santa knew her son really needed him.

Advertisement

THE REAL SANTA

Later in the evening, Baiz said something that touched many netizens. The young boy told his mother: "I believe that was the real Santa mommy. I feel it in my soul."

Seelye was so happy she was able to witness the significant moment. Many online members also loved the boy's story, and many said it touched their hearts.

Advertisement

THE ONLINE REACTION

One commenter stated: "This makes me cry. Whether it was Santa or a normal person, he has given faith to a scared little boy. Another netizen expressed: "I am so absolutely happy that your precious little buy finally got to meet Santa!"

The touching display showed many that there were still "good people" in the world, as pointed out by an online user. For Baiz, the simple gesture was a memory he would treasure forever.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
info

The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider.

Related posts

Older Woman Approaches Twin Mom Asking to Hug Them, Mom Can't Refuse after Hearing Her Story

April 06, 2022

Black Boy Grabs Hand of Crying White Classmate, Shows It 'Doesn't Matter What Color Kindness Is'

April 27, 2022

Stepson Mocked by Adoptive Parents & Their Children Finds Letters They Hid from Him – Story of the Day

March 12, 2022

Boy Hands Poor Widowed Mom a Box and Says, “Dad Told Me You Should Open This If We Need Help" – Story of the Day

March 23, 2022

8th-Grader Who Helps Dad Raise Her 5 Siblings Is Approached by a Secret Santa

May 01, 2022

On Mother’s Day, Poor Woman Struggling to Feed Her Kids Receives $200K from Unknown Jake Reid — Story of the Day

May 10, 2022

Stranger Walks up to Grieving Widower with 7 Kids and Hands Him a Check for $8,000

March 07, 2022

Boy Who Lost Faith after Parents' Death Goes to Church for Help for the First Time in Years – Story of the Day

January 26, 2022

Postman Hears Loud Cry from Abandoned House and Rushes Inside — Story of the Day

April 28, 2022

Boy in Wheelchair Whose Party No One Attended Makes a Wish & Finds Boxes on Doorstep the Next Day – Story of the Day

May 03, 2022

Poor Boy Pays for Old Lady's Groceries, His Granny Gets $230k to Pay for Treatment Days Later – Story of the Day

February 02, 2022

After Husband's Death, Widow Learns They Were Never Married and Cannot Claim Inheritance — Story of the Day

February 03, 2022

Woman Follows Dog When It Runs Away and Finds Him with Little Orphan Boy near a Grave — Story of the Day

April 23, 2022

Man Waits for Son He Has Not Seen in Years at the Airport, Does Not Find Boy among Passengers – Story of the Day

April 29, 2022