I have an amazing special needs son named Ryder. He is 11 and on the autism spectrum.

As a parent to a child with special needs you carry certain worries and insecurities sometimes.. like will my kid ever fit in ? Will he make friends? Can he find his happy place in this world?

Through our adventures we have discovered a place in the mall in our town called “Game World”. It is owned and operated by a very kind man named Mike.

Mike has held a wonderful space in this old relic indoor mall for over a decade. His store contains over a dozen Xbox consoles along with flat screens and comfy gamer chairs. Ryder goes here everyday after his therapy sessions and Mike is always quick to greet us all with a smile.

Ryder has OCD and insists Mike wear his baseball cap forward. Mike always obliges and also changes the lighting to Ryders liking. He grabs him a mini coke from the mini fridge and even cracks it open for Ryder. Mike helps him find the games he’s looking for and types things on YouTube for my little guy when he has trouble spelling. Ryders friend Mike does everything in his power to let him know he is being seen and that he is a friend.

Friends like Mike are irreplaceable and absolutely make the world a better place. The world needs more Mikes.

Sent with Aloha 🪼, Leann