Gina Heslop
Mike Larson, and his autistic son, Jon, were part of a truly heartwarming event that Mike shared on Facebook years ago. The post gained millions of shares, spreading a message of compassion worldwide.
Mike Larson’s son Jon, who is on the autism spectrum, was preparing for his high school prom. Like many teenagers, Jon wanted to experience prom, but it wasn’t certain that he would have the opportunity, especially given his specific needs.
For many teenagers, not having a date to the prom can feel like a major setback, and for someone like Jon, it might have been even more challenging.
Then, something unexpected happened. A senior at Jon’s school named Maddi approached Mike, who taught at the school, with an incredible offer. Maddi had met Jon through a school program that brings together special needs students and their peers to foster friendships.
She asked Mike if she could take Jon to prom, explaining that since Jon was a junior, it was his prom too, and she thought he should have the chance to experience it. Mike was deeply touched and honored by her request.
Maddi didn’t just ask Jon to the prom; she went above and beyond to make sure the night was perfect for him. She did some research and found out that Jon’s favorite color was orange, so she picked out a dress in that color.
She also planned the dinner around Jon’s favorite foods—chicken fingers, French fries, and chocolate milk—and arranged for the group to double date with another couple. Maddi even asked Mike if he thought Jon would be comfortable before officially inviting him to the dance.
Mike shared the prom photo of Jon and Maddi on social media for three reasons. He wanted to show his support for programs that help build friendships between special needs children and their peers.
He wanted to raise awareness and support for children like Jon. Lastly, he wanted to remind people that there are wonderful kids like Maddi who are making a difference in the world.
The story went viral, and millions of people shared and loved it. Six years later, in 2019, Mike shared an update, thanking everyone for their kind words. Jon was doing well, still living at home, and Maddi had since gotten married. Maddi, ever humble, was a bit embarrassed by all the attention she had received, as she didn’t think what she did was anything special.
For Mike, this experience was extraordinary. When Jon was diagnosed with autism over 16 years ago, Mike hadn’t imagined his son attending a prom.
But Maddi made sure Jon didn’t just attend—he had a wonderful time. Mike said it became one of the most special memories for their family, something they would treasure forever.
