【1998 Archives】

Sometimes998 Archives a simple gesture can make the daily life of autistic children significantly easier.

Steph Opogah, mum of a 2-year-old with autism, praised retailer Mothercare for providing a box full of his favourite brightly coloured shoes after they were sold out.

Opogah said six months ago she bought her son the shoes that had a toadstool and a rainbow. He absolutely fell in love with them because he can't bear the feeling of buckles or socks or wet grass beneath his toes.

"Some surfaces he's so sensitive to, he has to be carried. But he loved these shoes," she said in a Facebook post.

When the toddler's toes began to burst through the side, she took him back to Mothercare to buy some new ones.

But this time he wouldn't let any other shoes touch his feet.

"He became totally overwhelmed and frightened if I attempted to put shoes on. The whole store was staring at us as his screams reached every corner," she recounted.

“Mothercare no longer sold his favourite shoes, and he wasn’t willing to try any others. I was stuck.”

The woman asked the main desk if she could order some in, but was told that wasn't an option. Then, she gave the office a call, and a "kind lady" said she'd do her best to help.

One day, she received a box full of brightly coloured shoes.

”Today this arrived in the post. I am overwhelmed. I called to ask how I pay for them, and Mothercare said they were a gift and that no payment was required. 

“Struggles like this are a daily occurrence for families with autism, but the journey is made so much easier when there is kind helping hands and hearts out there.”

Mothercare acknowledged the gift and told HuffPost UK: “We are delighted that Mrs Opogah and her son are happy with their new Little Bird shoes, and are very proud of our employees who took the initiative to arrange this kind gesture.”