9th-grader with Down syndrome was rarely invited to parties—one classmate's kind gesture left her ugly crying

Inclusion can be felt even through the smallest gestures. A mom and her 9th-grade daughter, Macy, with Down syndrome, were quite excited because she had been invited to a birthday party. The mom shared that it wasn't a very common occurrence for Macy, so she was quite happy with the gesture and all smiles as she entered the car. The invitation also made the mom really emotional, who shared their reactions to it on Instagram, where the family goes by @theluckyfewoffical.

"You got invited to a birthday party?" the mom asked Macy, who confirmed that with a big smile on her face. "Oh, jeez, Mom," she quipped. "It's really special, it's making me cry," the woman added. "I am crying. I am so happy for you." The mom shared that Macy got in the car and showed her a birthday party invitation from a friend at school who was also in the life skills program with her. "Y’all! I’m not exaggerating when I tell you we can count on one hand the number of birthday parties she’s been invited to by school peers/friends since kindergarten! She is now in 9th grade," the caption read. "Her joy from this invitation is palpable. Wow! To me, it spoke of a longing fulfilled."

The mom laughed and cried as she celebrated the special moment with her daughter. "Macy! You are deserving of every birthday party in the whole wide world. I can’t wait for Saturday!" the caption continued. People shared their thoughts on the girl's joyful moment in the comments of the video. @mooresar wrote, "Such a Wonderful girl. I am so happy for Macy! She is so Special! No one should ever exclude anyone from any event!" @de_nise94 commented, "Macy, you are such a light and a gift to this world! Your smile is dazzling! Never doubt how loved and how special you are! You are a true blessing to this world! Keep living, loving and shining your beautiful light!"

@rise_pediatric_therapy remarked, "I love her reaction! It is so wonderful and exciting! As a parent of an autistic boy, I deeply understand your pain. Our children are often excluded from such celebrations due to their differences. I hope she had a wonderful time." @lizidennison shared, "The saddest thing is, we shouldn’t have to be any more excited for her than any other kid because she should be invited to them all! She’s so beautiful and I bet she’s so sweet! Why would anyone NOT invite her!" @eilvtotrvlqqq expressed, "If Macy were close to my age, I would definitely invite her. When I was growing up and even as an adult, it's hard for people to come to my birthday parties because everyone leaves town for the holiday in July. I hope Macy continues to get more invitations."

In an update, the mom shared that Macy and she had a great time at the birthday party. "How was the birthday party?" the mom asked. "It was good," Macy answered excitedly. "I love it here. It was so fun! I love birthday parties." In the caption, the woman shared, "The birthday boy is a disabled student in the life skills class at Macy’s school. The party was inclusive, not because a student in the general education program invited Macy, but because a person with an intellectual disability invited both disabled and non-disabled individuals." She added, "When I arrived at the party, I didn’t know anyone there. As Macy and I approached the birthday boy’s mom to introduce ourselves and thank her for the invitation, she greeted us with huge hugs and said, 'I’m so happy you’re here!'"

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