An Alabama Chick-fila-A opened their doors on Sunday to make a 14-year-old autistic boys birthday wish come true.
According to the Christian Post, 14-year-old Elijah Sprague, who is diagnosed with both autism and cerebral palsy, only wished to work at a Chick-fila-A drive-thru for his birthday. Sprague’s Uncle Walt Gilstrap – the manager at their local Chick-fil-A – and the Store’s owner heard Sprague’s wish an opened up their store.
WKRG reports that Sprague was able to hand out cookies to about 40 cars filled with friends and family through the drive-thru window.
After the teen was able to hand out cookies to his friends and family, everyone came inside the restaurant – which is normally closed on Sunday’s because of its Christian foundation – to celebrate Sprague’s birthday over a large cookie cake.
According to the Christian Post, Sprague was born 18 weeks early and was only expected to live for about one year. Rene Sprague, the boy’s mom, first met her son while working as a nurse in the NICU Sprague was placed in as a newborn. When Sprague was about six months old, Rene and her husband decided to adopt him despite all odds, and on Sunday he was able to celebrate his 14 birthday with his friends and family.
In an interview with CBS News, Rene thanked everyone for making her son’s birthday so special. She also encouraged people to remember how much kids with special needs have to offer the community.
She said, “The community needs to realize this is a really special population of kids.”
“They do have special needs, but they have so much to offer,” she added.
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Alex Wong/Staff
Video courtesy: WKRG
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