13-year old Kansas teen, Tate Smith, was diagnosed with autism at 2 years of age. The first reaction of his mother, Lisa, was one of dread.
Lisa revealed to People magazine her fears upon learning the truth:
"I saw Tate's future go down the drain right in front of my eyes,"
"One of the fears was bullying. How will he be treated at school? Will he be miserable?"
Lisa's fears were washed away when her son reached 7th grade.
Tate's seventh grader classmates formed a lunch buddies club, according to an article in People magazine.
The seventh graders formed a lunch buddies club with the hopes of making Tate fit in and make friends.
So far, the seventh graders successfully formed a lunch buddies club to help their classmate in need.
The club has been in existence for five years. Tate has just now been reaping the rewards of joining the club.
These were the comments Tate's lunch buddies had to say:
Ethan Eckman, 13:
"It's kind of easy, 'cause he likes everybody,"
"He's just a good friend and he understands you."
Jordan Barth, 12:
"Some people don't really listen to you when you talk, but Tate always seems to be listening to you. And he always knows the right things to say."
Let's hope for the best to come for Tate. How wonderful the world would have been if everybody accepts each other despite their differences!
