Utah teen hits the movies with friends in heartwarming TikTok, moving millions
Sep 23, 2024, 12:53 PM | Updated: 12:57 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — Kimberly Dowdell’s 13-year-old son, Jack, made a positive impression in a big way this year. Jack has Down syndrome, and through it, he’s reminding millions of what true friendship looks like.
Dowdell shared a video on TikTok — a sweet moment of Jack waiting for friends to pick him up for the movies.
@kimberly.dowdell Yesterday, Jack’s friends from school called and asked if they could take him to a movie. Of course, I said YES! Jack anxiously anticipated their arrival and was so excited to see them. I love how much they embrace him and treat him like one of their own. It completely made his day! Make the invitation, put forth the effort – you will never regret the outcome and the good it will do for someone like Jack. #downsyndrome #inclusionmatters #downsyndromerocks #momsoftiktok #momlife ♬ What A Wonderful World [Live] – Sarah Kroger
These kids are Jack’s peer tutors at South Jordan Middle School. They asked his mom for permission to take Jack to the movies.
“Probably like every hour he was asking ‘When (is) the movies, mom? When (is) the movies? When am I going to the movies?'” Dowdell said.
She said she’s grateful his friends see him as an individual and look beyond his disabilities. So far, the video has over a million likes.
“I had no idea that when I shared this video it would touch so many hears as it did,” she said. “There’s so many people who, gosh I’m going to get emotional, they’re so many people who want this for their children.”
Dowdell said she hopes Jack’s experience gives other families hope that everything will be ok and ultimately, their kids have so much potential.
Contributing: Mary Culbertson, KSL TV
