Hi Everyone!
I came across this post as I was scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook one morning over the summer break and I was compelled to share it with my fellow Facebook friends. I'm sure all of us at some point in our lives have felt the hurt of rejection and exclusion from our peers, but when Odin started to feel this way after none of his classmates rsvp'd his 13th birthday party invitation, his mom decided to take matters into her own hands and use social media to her advantage.
In posting a cry for help for just one person to wish Odin a Happy Birthday or make him feel significant on his special day, the response Odin's mother received was breathtaking. Her post went viral, reaching 900,000 + people over the internet and Odin even received shout-outs from celebrities like Carrie Underwood. Thanks to the unlimited abilities of social media and the internet, the town of Peterborough gave Odin a Birthday party that he would never forget, and that to me is something worth sharing.
I love this story! It is so awesome to see social media being used in ways such as this. With the introduction of social media cyber bullying became a real problem, so it really nice to see these sites being used for something so kind and genuine. It amazes me how a single post on one of these sites can go viral so quickly and lead to such amazing things!
ReplyDeleteHey Bri,
ReplyDeleteThis story is so bittersweet. Whilst it’s sad that none of Odin’s friends rsvp'd to his 13th birthday party, it’s also amazing to see how social media can bring people together and can be used for the greater good. This story is a wonderful example of how people from all over the world can come together through social media to show their kindness and support. I’m happy to see that Odin enjoyed his birthday, regardless of whether his classmates were there or not. I’m sure he gained some better friends because of it! I really enjoyed this post. If you have time, you might also appreciate this story. http://www.littlethings.com/ashley-biker-bullies/ It’s about a little girl, who was tormented by the neighborhood bully – after she was beaten badly by him, her mother reached out via Facebook for help… next thing you know, members of the local motorcycle association came to meet with Ashley to show their support.
I love this post! It made me smile and feel happy for Odin. We all know how powerful social media can be and it’s inspiring to see how many individuals can come together and make someone feel so special. It is encouraging to see Twitter pages such as The Toronto Blue Jays, Raptors, Maple Leafs and many more get involved in making his 13th birthday unforgettable. I hope struggling to make friends is one less worry Odin has to deal with now.
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