Posted on 04/19/2015 1:22:25 PM PDT by BBell
Hundreds attend mentally disabled girl's tenth birthday after Facebook appeal when none of her class
Mackenzie Moretter, of Shakopee, Minnesota, celebrated her tenth birthday on Saturday
When none of her classmates could come to her party, Mackenzie's mother posted on Facebook groups, inviting strangers to the celebrations
More than 700 people joined a Facebook event for the birthday party
Hundreds of people flocked to a park in Shakopee on Saturday
They brought Mackenzie gifts and food and she made new friends
Mackenzie was diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome when she was a year old
The disorder delayed her development and makes it hard to socialize
Strangers from around Minnesota flocked to a ten-year-old girl's birthday party, after several of her classmates didn't respond to their invitations, in hopes of giving her a celebration she'll never forget.
Mackenzie Moretter, who has a rare genetic disorder called Sotos Syndrome that has delayed her development, which makes it hard for her to socialize, told her parents she wanted a 'big-girl party' for her tenth birthday.
This meant inviting friends, but after her parents sent invitations to Mackenzie's classmates and heard no response, her mother Jenny Moretter took a different approach.
Jenny Moretter went on Facebook and posted in a few local groups asking families with girls around Mackenzie's age to stop by their Shakopee home on Saturday - and the response was overwhelming.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Bump!
That's how it was when I was growing up, I would only invite my closest friends, not everyone in the class.
You're probably right. I was just making a general point. We don't have parties much! Sally had about ten girls for her birthday a couple of years ago - the party was held at someone else's house because her closest friend is allergic to cats!
I'm thinking of having a Star Wars party on May 4, which is Star Wars Day. Frank could invite three or four of his friends in the neighborhood.
‘You should always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise they won’t come to yours.’
I actually practice that! And not only for the person I know/knew.
When the deceased is a family member of a person in one of my clubs, or church, I will go.
It’s the right thing to do.
When I’m signing the guest book, I know when the family reads it they will be grateful for those who attended - including my attendance.
A bonus is when the service includes a chance to speak about the person, I often can find a different ‘nugget’ to pass along.
Families LOVE hearing how their member affected those around them.
So many people work and will not ask for time off to attend funerals, so that’s another reason I get myself to the service.
We have smaller ones now too. Norah invites three or four girls and we have a “girls” day. I do mani/pedi’s for them. We then go to an appropriate movie. To save some money, I use my giant “you can fit a Volvo in it” purse for candy and snacks. Pizza and cake at home and I gladly shoo them out to the door to their parents. Then I collapse. LOL!
Well done
Plus, you hear some serious third grade gossip! Did you know that Bryce sent Miranda a “love” note and said she was pretty?!! Ooohhhh.. My favorite: Christopher told Samantha that he may marry her when he turns 35.
Last year I took several teenaged girls to the mall and turned them loose for a couple of hours, then bought them lunch in the food court. Worked great. I got two dresses at the 80% off sale at Belk, too.
Thank you. :-)
LOL! It’s a social jungle in third grade, obviously.
When my son was in second grade, he was seated next to a girl with severe eyesight problems. He helped her throughout the entire year. We were really proud of him.
GREAT sale shopping, tax chick! I personally wouldn’t want to walk with them at that age. They are so embarrassing! LOL!
The mom did a nice job... I’m glad to read this.
I told them to meet me in a certain place at a certain hour, and then walked around by myself, occasionally seeing them. They were embarrassed when I went into Hot Topic while they were there and started trying on clothes.
I was thinking the same thing. It’s a rare year in which one of our children gets to have a “friend” birthday party as we usually celebrate as a family. When it’s a party we invite two to four friends, knowing they will likely say yes.
Knowing that her daughter has a disability that affects her ability to interact with other children, her mother should have chosen a wiser plan to bless her daughter on her birthday rather than expose her to the pain of total rejection.
I have come to the opinion that parents are much more cruel and interested in the popularity contest. Brutal honest fact is most kids are better and nicer than adults. It takes years for parents to reinforce the negative behavior. Some kids are mean and nasty little beasts. Even with good parents.
At one of the local parochial schools here, private birthday parties are not allowed because some classmates might end up getting excluded. While I understand the rationale -- and, for the record, I was the kid at school nobody played with -- I still find this a bit intrusive. A child should have the same right as an adult to pick or choose friends without being labeled a snob. What the family does at home is nobody else's business.
It doesn't say that, unambiguously in the story - after several of her classmates didn't respond to their invitations - but after her parents sent invitations to Mackenzie's classmates and heard no response, which one was it ? Maybe people didn't respond fast enough and she wanted to make sure her daughters birthday was truly memorable. In a story like this you never get to hear the other side, bottom line, a little girl had a great day thanks to lots of kind caring people.
Classic Yogi
In this day and age you have to invite everyone in the class if the invitations are handed out at any School activity.
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