A man with autism asks, 'Would someone like me?' and Twitter responds with love
The mother of a man with autism excitedly tweeted his first-ever question — “Will someone like me?” — and the internet answered with love.
David Bloch, 21, of Neptune Beach, Florida was diagnosed with autism at age five, along with a severe immunodeficiency disorder that prevents him from being around children or in closed spaces, such as airplanes and movie theaters. David also cannot attend mainstream school, so he is educated through a homebound hospital system.
While David is not completely nonverbal, until Thursday, he had never asked his mother a question. “We’ve never had a conversation,” David’s mother Kerry tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
Friendships are also difficult and rare for David, who spends most of his time with his health aid and his parents.
While watching a football game on television, David suddenly turned to his mother and asked, “Would someone like me?” Eager to share his progress with her support system, Kerry tweeted, “My 21 year old autistic son has no communication skills. Today he asked me his first question ever. It was. ‘Would someone like me?’”
My 21 year old autistic son has no communication skills. Today he asked me his first question ever. It was. “Would someone like me?” pic.twitter.com/vw1DMQN9s8
— kerry bloch (@dsmom58) October 30, 2019
The answer, clearly, was yes. Amid 4.8 retweets and 68K likes, strangers began uploading photos of their family members, some with autism.
David,
My name is Ross. This is my Son, Lincoln. He’s 7-years-old, and, also, Autistic. We would both like to be your friend! pic.twitter.com/IS2uNe2TQD— Ross “Loves Casper” Hayes (@IAMELBURRO) November 1, 2019
Please tell Daivd I have a grandson on the spectrum and we not only like him. We love him💙💙 pic.twitter.com/zEDGgmuyq1
— Betsy Fleming 💪??💜#EqualityAct (@Betsypoo62) November 1, 2019
As a Special Olympics Athletes God Bless your son my love goes out to him Kerry love you ??
— Tank Schottle (@TankSchottle) November 1, 2019
My oldest son has autism. Tell him the answer is yes. Most people would be more understanding if they understood what autism is. 👍
— Matt Tidwell (@MattBamaTidwell) October 30, 2019
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!!!
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 1, 2019
I like him... I have a almost 25 yr old autistic son and he is the kindest most amazing man I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. He makes me a better person everyday
— Harbinger of Mundane (@Ant_F3ltz) October 31, 2019
I’m late to the party, David, but Nick & I say helloooo! You look like a nice person to know.
Nick has special character, too. ?? He is 23. He’d like playing video games with you. pic.twitter.com/y2N2RgoSnq— Maria (@BeBraveAndTrue) November 1, 2019
Tell David, he has a friend from London... and my family.
Much love pic.twitter.com/OMgwL8xIqr— Dan Ferdinand (@danferdinand) October 31, 2019
Oh, my goodness. This is so beautiful! Your son gives me hope. My nephew (8) is also autistic and nonverbal, and works SO HARD every day, and we love him so fiercely and pray he will find his voice. What an inspiration you are! What a hero!
— Shannon Last (@shannon_last) November 1, 2019
Rosie O’Donnell even tweeted back, “I like u” with heart and thumbs-up emojis.
i like u ??👍🏽
— ROSIE (@Rosie) November 2, 2019
Kerry tweeted back to David’s fans, “To say that David and I are overwhelmed by the response to this simple tweet is putting it mildly. Our hearts have never been touched like this. I am reading every reply to David. It’ll take time but know that every one of you have blessed us. Love you all!”
To say that David and I are overwhelmed by the response to this simple tweet is putting it mildly. Our hearts have never been touched like this. I am reading every reply to David. It’ll take time but know that every one of you have blessed us. Love you all!
— kerry bloch (@dsmom58) November 1, 2019
Kerry tells Yahoo Lifestyle that her viral tweet has made David incredibly happy and he is intent on replying to every single person who offered their friendship, saying, “He doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Firefighter comforts preschooler with autism in sweet photo: ‘It warmed my heart’
Barber moves chair outside for overwhelmed boy with autism in heartwarming viral moment
Girl with cerebral palsy takes her first unaided steps in viral video
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