Quick! Take a look at this picture and tell me exactly what you are thinking. It’s okay; no one can hear you. You can be critical or insensitive or whatever. Just say what you are thinking. How about this:
1. Dude threw a Hail Mary for his senior prom and God answered… Nope.
2. It’s one of those Tim Tebow Dances or special needs proms where every kid gets lined up with a date… No.
3. They are brother and sister. She’s the homecoming queen and he’s her escort. This is a classy move… No again.
4. They are related in some way… No.
5. Parents arranged this… No way Jose.
6. Drive by photo. They were in the same place at the same time and took this pic… No.
Done guessing? Okay, here’s the skinny: These two are friends and have been for years. They live in the same neighborhood but attend different high schools. This photo was taken last spring when Jon was finishing up his Junior year and she was graduating. That’s right. She walked over to Jon’s house and asked him to HER prom. I’ll save you the trouble of going back to reread that. She took HIM to HER prom.
Remember your prom? Remember you were going to go for broke and ask out that girl or guy you had a crush on since the 7th grade? Or you and your friend Napoleon were going to import the hottest date from another school or county or state? Probably Oklahoma. Yes, I know, I like her bangs too. Or maybe you were the imported trophy date? It’s a cool feeling isn’t it?
Well I know Jon personally. We are tight. He is rocking Down Syndrome from top to bottom. From the beaming face to the iron chains wrapped around the fridge that everyone knows the combination to except Jon. He brings it all to the table, the good and bad of Down Syndrome. Jon is hot. Smokin hot. But you still have to wonder how he got to be the imported trophy date for this girl.
Her name is Kylie Hughes and obviously she can go to the prom with whomever she wants. So why John? Because he’s smokin? Fun? Funny? Life of the party? I don’t know Kylie so I don’t know the answer to that question, although I am sure selflessness is a factor. All I know is that she treated Jon to the best night of his life and gave him a confidence boost from here to the moon!
Quick shout out to all teens! Are you as comfortable in your own skin as Kylie is? Then why not do something totally rad and take a page out of her book? When Homecoming or Winter Formal or, shoot! any event this year comes up, consider accompanying someone who probably is not going to go. You might just have a ball and change someone’s life at the same time.
Millions of parents like me are giving a standing ovation to the Kylie’s and Mia’s (see Miracle Mia) of the world. We think you are the greatest! We are rooting for every kid, teen, and adult willing to reach out to others who don’t exactly fall within the norms. Because when you do, the world changes for the better. And isn’t that what it’s all about?
