He Buys Friend with Special Needs a Cement Truck for Christmas, His Reaction Is Priceless
There are many different ways to show someone you care about them. Getting to know them is a very important part of being able to meaningfully show that you care.
Some people prefer quality time instead of getting gifts, but there are very few people who mind getting a surprise present. Unless you know someone really well, though, a gift can be a total flop.
Fortunately, Jake Marr, a senior at Maricopa High School in Arizona, knows his friend Matthew Sabetta very well and decided to surprise him with an early Christmas present.
Matthew has a condition known as Williams syndrome, which is present from the time of conception, according to the Williams Syndrome Association’s website.
“Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone,” the website explains. “It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges.”
“These often occur side by side with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities and an affinity for music. Williams syndrome is caused by the spontaneous deletion of 26-28 genes on chromosome #7.
“Children with Williams syndrome tend to be social, friendly and endearing. Parents often say the joy and perspective a child with WS brings into their lives had been unimaginable.
“As they grow, they struggle with things like spatial relations, numbers, and abstract reasoning, which can make daily tasks a challenge. As adults, most people with Williams syndrome will need supportive housing to live to their fullest potential. Many adults with WS contribute to their communities as volunteers or paid employees; often working at assisted living homes for senior citizens, hospitals and libraries, or as store greeters or veterinary aides.”
Matthew absolutely exudes joy and light. He’s a positive influence everywhere he goes, and he’s constantly winning hearts and smiles. It’s the happiness he brings to others that encouraged Jake to return the favor.
“Because he makes everybody’s day, I figured I can make his day at least once,” Jake told KTVK.
Jake recorded the gift-giving at the request of his mom and posted it soon after, captioning the video, “Meet Matthew he is probably the happiest kid I have ever met he loves cement trucks so I got him one for Christmas.”
People have appreciated the cheerful attitudes of both young men, especially Jake’s thoughtfulness and Matthew’s enthusiastic response.
Jake hopes this video encourages other people to reach out to individuals who may not be quite like them. “Just be kind,” he urged, “talk to them, get to know them, they have the most amazing stories you’ll ever hear.”
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The principal, Brian Winters, appreciates these two students, saying they’re what make a career in education worth pursuing.
“On a campus of 2,400 students, not every day there’s something that’s awesome and positive that happens,” he said. “And this kind of showcases why people get into education, and the great things that can happen on a campus when people care about one another.”
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