To Kelly Wilson’s dismay, she learned that her special needs son Sean was being bullied in middle school. The bullying became so bad that she had to take him out of school.
“He was bullied significantly throughout 7th grade and 8th grade. It was so significant that he became despondent,” Kelly says. “He wouldn’t talk, he wouldn’t look at anybody. It was scary.”
Sean has Fragile X syndrome, a chromosome defect that makes it difficult for Sean to socialize. However, when Sean began schooling at Eaglecrest High School, it was like the students there were cut from a different cloth than the ones he knew in middle school.
After becoming a star Special Olympics athlete, Sean was not only accepted by his peers — he became one of the popular kids!
Needless to say, Kelly and Sean were shocked when he was nominated to be homecoming king and won.
“The notion of being nominated for homecoming king. I can’t even explain what that does for someone who wonders: ‘Do I really belong?’ ” Kelly says.
The old saying goes, “Kids can be cruel,” but perhaps it should be modified to “some kids.” The students at Eaglecrest, like the football players at Arizona Creek, don’t seem to have any issue accepting each other’s differences and showing compassion for one another.
“He wasn’t nominated because he has special needs. He was nominated because most of the student body love him,” she said.
See the moment Sean is crowned in the video below!
Please SHARE if you’re glad that Sean found a place where he belongs!
