High school football coach in Dallas, Georgia promoting compassionamong his students by having special needs students participate duringgames.

Coach Scott Hamilton has spend the last two years of his career making sure that special needs students at his high school can be a part of his football team. He developed a Player of the Day program, where a special needs athlete gets his own jersey and takes a part on the team’s pep rally, rides the bus to the event, and runs onto the field pre-game.

“It gives them a chance to be a part of something they don’t normally get to be a part of” Hamilton told Today News.

Hamilton has made it his goal to help his players and other students at Paulding County High School realize that victory isn’t always about winning; it’s about developing empathy and kindness towards others. “I’m showing these boys how to be men,” he says. “How to be the big tough guy, and still have a compassionate side.”

Local parents are very pleased with Hamilton’s actions. “We don’t get the opportunity to see our children [on the field] like everybody else does,” says one mother of a special needs student who recently participated in Player of the Day. Her words are vibrant despite the tears of happiness in her eyes. “I don’t think Coach Hamilton even realizes what [having these students participate] does.”

“For them and us,” her friend, another parent of a special needs student, adds thankfully.

Coach Hamilton hopes to be remembered for his actions, not just for his win-loss football records.

Patient pup demonstrates compassion and camaraderie towards little boy with Downs Syndrome.

Hernan is a little boy from Buenos Aires with Downs Syndrome. In this video, he received attention from a dog named Himalaya. However, the cautious child is unsure how to react towards Himalaya’s attentions – normally, he avoids physical contact. After several minutes of apprehension towards Himalaya’s patient affections, Hernan eventually hugs her and even begins to demonstrate ease towards her persistent company.



Hernan’s mother, Ana Marta Vegas, has the following to say about her video:

[tentative translation from Spanish]

“What’s happening here is that Hernan is a little shy and avoids physical contact. He does not like being touched, but Himalaya is determined and patience, which is why [the video] is so touching.”

Chili's fixes "broken" cheeseburger, saves little girl's day.

Anna Kaye MacLean couldn’t understand why her 7-year-old sister, Arianna, wouldn’t eat her cheeseburger. Dining at Chili’s in Midvale, UT, the little girl was chowing down on her fries, but when asked about her cheeseburger – a usual favorite – Arianna replied, “It’s broken. I need another one that’s fixed.” Anna then noticed that Arianna’s cheeseburger had been cut in half by the cook – a common method of preparation when serving large or potentially messy food to young children. And therein lay the problem; Arianna had never been served a cheeseburger cut in half before. You see, Arianna is autistic.

Children with autism appreciate consistency; changes in their routine, even something as minute as a food item being served in a different manner than usual, can cause confusion, and in some cases, even feel frightening and traumatic.

Not wanting to cause a fuss, Anna asked her waitress, Lauren, if she could add an additional cheeseburger to the check, one that wasn’t cut in half, and explained Arianna’s circumstances. Anna worried Lauren might think her request silly, but to her surprise, Lauren turned to Arianna and said, “I brought you a broken cheeseburger?”. Smiling at the little girl, Lauren told her that a new burger – one that wasn’t broken – was on its way.

Even the manager came to the table, kneeling down and telling Arianna, “I’m so sorry about [the cheeseburger]. We are making you a brand new one that isn’t broken, with pickles!”

When Lauren returned and Arianna set her eyes on her new, complete cheeseburger, Arianna exclaimed “Thank you! You ‘fixded’ my cheeseburger!”

But that wasn’t the best part. As Lauren walked away, Arianna stared long and thoughtfully at her cheeseburger. Finally, she sighed, “Oh, I missed you!” and planted a kiss right on the bun.

Not many people, especially busy restaurant servers, would think twice about helping out in a situation others would find as silly and superfluous as a cut-in-half cheeseburger. But for one little girl, a simple act of kindness and compassion went a very long way.

Lil Bub woos the world, opens eyes about adopting special needs animals.

Photo is © Mike Bridavsky, http://lilbub.com/#

Lil Bub is a perma-kitten who, in late 2011, captured the attention – and the hearts – of internet users all around the globe. Born in a tool shed as the runt of a feral litter, Bub had a number of genetic anomalies that could have made her survival and lifestyle extremely difficult; with a long, flexible torso, short stubby legs, and an extra toe on each paw, Bub has difficulty with her mobility. With a shortened lower jaw and no teeth, she has nothing to prevent her tongue from hanging out. When she meows, she makes a series of strange snorts and gurgles.

"How To Hold A Bub". 

Bub’s deformities meant she required a lot of special care, especially in her first few weeks. Special needs pets are often unwanted by those who see their care as a burden, even within shelters and humane societies where special needs might deem them “undesirable” and, therefore, unadoptable. But at just eight weeks old, Bub met her new owner, Mike Bridavsky, and he was immediately smitten with her.

Photo is © Mike Bridavsky, http://lilbub.com/#

The story could end quite nicely there; a sweet tale of a man who was willing to take on the challenges of caring for a special needs kitten. However, Bub’s story extends into far more exceptional territory.

Bridavsky was suffering a very rough point in his life when he adopted Bub. With no expectations, he posted a photograph of her online. Within a few days, the image appeared on the front page of Reddit – Bub had become almost an overnight sensation. With demand for her adorable squished face on products from thousands of fans, Bridavsky was able to pay his rent, as well as buy a new camera and laptop with the purpose of sharing more of Bub with the rest of the world. Further proceeds from sales went to animal-rescue charities.

In a very heartwarming way, Lil Bub and Mike Bridavsky saved each other.

But Bub’s cute face and adorable demeanor didn’t stop at photographs, tote bags and t-shirts; she managed to change the misconceptions and cynical views of owning a special needs pet. People began to look past the obstacles and hurdles of the unknown that frightened them when it came to animals with special needs, and began to see the bigger picture: how care for those pets could help someone discover depths of strength and perseverance within themselves that they never knew existed. People across the internet began discussing how everyday obstacles became less severe after hearing Bub’s story and seeing how happy she is despite her limitations.