NJ grandmother has a mission: Find the group of local teens played with her autistic grandson
LONG BRANCH, NJ — This Long Branch grandmother has a mission: Find the group of local teens who went out of their way to be nice to her grandson at Seven Presidents Park earlier this week — and give them a big hug.
This came just moments after another child told her grandson to "go away" — likely not knowing the boy has autism and developmental delays, said Joanne O'Connell.
"They were just such nice kids. I just want to find them and thank their parents," said O'Connell, 66.
This happened Tuesday afternoon: O'Connell picked up her 5-year-old grandson, Jacob, from the Long Branch public Pre-K he attends; she watches him some days after school while her daughter works.
They drove to Tony's Place, the inclusive playground at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park.
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The grandmother said Jacob seemed "confused," so she took him to another section of the playground. That's when a group of four teenagers, who looked to be about 15, immediately started playing with Jacob.
"These teens spent at least an hour with him, I swear! They gave Jacob rides on their bike; they let him play with their skateboard and the girl held him on this ride so he wouldn't get hurt," she said. "I told them, 'Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry he's bothering you,' but these kids said no, no, we love him!"
"They played with him and made him so happy!" said the grandmother. "I told them they must be camp counselors because they are so good with kids. One of the girls said she actually was."
O'Connell and Jacob's mother, Jacqueline Crist, posted Tuesday evening in the Facebook group "Let's Talk Long Branch," asking if anyone can find these four teens.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/parenting/long-branch-grandma-seeks-teens-who-played-with-her-autistic-grandson/ar-AAXwDZg
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I always dubbed her the "baby whisperer" because ever since she was little, she would literally "herd" any younger children that she encountered and make sure they were okay, and the toddlers/youngsters would be drawn to her - even the shy ones. In fact it was hilarious that when me and my sis (who carpooled with me to work) would pick her up at her daycare/pre-K, the other kids at the facility (including older elementary school ones who were there for after-school activities) all knew her. She expresses so much empathy for others (sometimes to a fault). It was her natural personality.
The "camp counselor" type of thing was always the first thing that came to mind about her too. 