A social media post shared by a Missouri mother has led to an outpouring of kindness towards her 24-year-old son, who has Down Syndrome.
Earlier this month, Donna Herter shared a message to Facebook requesting a "young man" to spend two hours twice a month with her son, Christian Bowers. She said would pay the person $80 every two hours.
"I'm looking for a young man, between the ages of 20-28 who would like to make some extra money," Herter wrote. "Two days a month for two hours, I'll pay you to be my son's friend. All you have to do is sit with him and play video games in his room. Nothing else."
"He's 24 and has Down Syndrome and doesn't have any friends his age," she continued. "You will not be alone with him, myself or his grandpa will be home. Obviously, he won't know you are getting paid, but that you are there for him those 2 days. The pay is $80 for 2 hours."
The post quickly went viral and has since garnered nearly 60,000 shares and more than 26,000 comments.
Herter told CBS affiliate KMOV she received a largely positive response online, with many people offering to become friends with Bowers without any expectation of payment. She has even received offers from as far away as London and Australia.
But Saturday, Bowers was given a surprise visit by members of the St. Louis nonprofit, STL Youth Sports Outreach.
Founder Billy Mayhall told KMOV he was moved by Herter's post and called his friend Derk Brown, who has a large social media following. The pair enlisted other donors and Clement Hyundai to give Bowers a 65-inch flat-screen TV, a new TV stand, a wireless sound bar, St. Louis Blues tickets, and snacks for gaming sessions.
Herter said that Bowers was thrilled with the gifts, saying, "It's big! It's like heaven." She added that she never expected such a reaction and was overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers.
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Mayhall emphasized that children with special needs deserve friendship just as much as anyone else. He hopes that more people will take notice of their needs.
"People now are starting to see a lot of these kids with special needs need somebody in life," he explained to KMOV, "just like we do, no different."
Peeche94 on February 15th, 2023 at 07:50 UTC »
Had a person with down syndrome visit a pub I worked at regularly, he would tell us all these mad stories that he was going to move to America and marry a spice girl and he was always cheerful and made jokes. Anyway, one day he invited about 8 of us that regularly spoke to him to his 40th birthday party, and to this day I have not enjoyed a party more. Hope you're doing well Alex!
BAT123456789 on February 15th, 2023 at 05:22 UTC »
So, I was raised with Down's people around regularly. They are kind, sweet, loyal people who are well worth having as friends. There is one in particular who went to my school who my mother taught, who we run into about once a year. He's a good guy, kind, loving, hard working. I always give him a a hug and ask how he's doing. I am realistic and honest with him. Honestly, he is my friend, as close as about anyone I knew from high school. The honest truth is, he kept a job through a major recession and has done pretty well for himself. I hope it means something to him for me to say such things, that he has honestly done better than the majority of those we went to school with. Sure, he need help, who doesn't? I know I do. All I can say is that even those with such disabilities can work hard and do pretty well in life. That's the sort of thing that makes me happy, and happy to call them my friend. My mother asks me to do her a favor and say hi, but it is absolutely no favor to take a few with a good dude I knew from high school and am happy to see again.
alpha_rat_fight_ on February 15th, 2023 at 02:56 UTC »
She said she even got responses as far away as Australia and London. There are good men out there ❤️