21-Year-Old Man Hailed Hero For Act Of Kindness To Special Needs Man

Last week, a 21-year-old Ontario student named Godfrey thought he was in for an ordinary bus ride home. Little did he know, he'd soon be hailed a hero for the most incredible reason. Minutes after Godfrey boarded a crowded express bus, he was approached by a middle-aged man named Robert, who he'd never met before. Robert started shaking Godfrey's hand and wouldn't let go. At first, Godfrey thought this was some kind of joke — but he soon realized the truth.

Robert is deaf and has cerebral palsy. As soon as Godfrey realized that Robert has special needs, he found the man showering him with affection and leaning on him for comfort for the duration of the 30-minute bus ride.

At first, Godfrey was unnerved and admittedly "freaked out" by the stranger's forwardness, but he ultimately decided to do something most people wouldn't dare. “This was my first time encountering such a thing," Godfrey says. "I thought, you know what, I’m just going to allow it. I’ll let him do his thing. I’ll comfort him.’”

What happened next is nothing short of amazing, and thank God it was captured on camera. Keep reading to find out why this story has everyone talking…

YouTube video

Godfrey Coutto, a 21-year-old McMaster University sociology student, boarded a bus last week in Ontario. Minutes after he sat down, the bus ride home took an unexpected turn.

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Screenshot / Global Toronto

Godfrey suddenly found a middle-aged man named Robert looking to him for comfort. He realized Robert has special needs, and decided to react with kindness. After a passenger seated across from the two men posted this photo online, it quickly went viral.

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Facebook / Only In Hamilton
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Screenshot / Global Toronto

Robert is deaf and has cerebral palsy. At first, Godfrey was unnerved by the stranger's behavior, but he ultimately decided to put Robert's comfort over his own. For the next 30 minutes, Godfrey let Robert wrap his arm around him, kiss him and hold his hands.

Robert's family says he often seeks human connection, and that he likes to explore and socialize. Here's Robert hugging another stranger in a photo posted to Facebook.

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Robert’s niece reached out to Godfrey, thanking him for his kindness. She says Robert is often rejected by strangers, which is something Godfrey saw for himself. As he was getting off the bus, Godfrey saw Robert approaching another man for a hug -- but th

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Facebook / Vick Jacobs

While so many other people would reject this type of interaction, Godfrey knew the most humane reaction would be to accept and allow it. What a remarkable man. If you agree, please SHARE this story with your friends on Facebook!