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When 2 Teens Found a Friendship No One Believed They Could Have

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With all the stories about bullying and all the stories about the horrifying things the human race can do to each other, let me bring you another side, where friendship needs no words. This is what should be shared 6,000+ times.

Meet Kreed, who is medically fragile, has autism and uses a device to communicate. And meet Skyler, who has Usher’s Syndrome, is deaf, losing peripheral vision, has autism and currently does not have a means to effectively communicate.

 

Both boys have been underestimated their whole lives.

two friends eating

People thought they would never be able to have any kind of friendship. They said they wouldn’t understand. They don’t have compassion. They don’t understand how to love.

People have also never understood why Kreed is so loud and makes the movements he does. Skyler has faced challenges most people couldn’t dream about, yet they wonder why he makes the sounds he does and doesn’t listen and seems to go from one thing to the next. But just because we don’t understand, doesn’t make their connection any less. Friendship doesn’t always need words.

Here is the photo that proves them all wrong.

two friends holding hands walking in the hall

 

Skyler was a little unsure of the hotel surroundings, so I asked Kreed if he would help. Kreed walked over, grabbed Skyler’s hand and they walked in together. Skyler trusted Kreed, and Kreed knew Skyler needed his help.

It was amazing to watch — two boys the world has told would never accomplish things such as friendship and love and meaningful relationships.

In a world where kids sometimes bully kids with disabilities or where adults make fun of those who are different or use hate speech, here are two boys who have found a way to interact without needing words.

They feel.

They care.

They love.

As a special needs parent, I hope and pray that one day my child will find his “tribe.” Someone he can be himself with. Someone who doesn’t mind his quirks. Someone who is just fine with exactly who he is. Kreed doesn’t care when Skyler gets as close as possible to him or when he reaches out to touch him. Skyler has no idea how loud Kreed is and never gets annoyed. He’s realized Kreed is different and similar to himself. So he watches Kreed, follows Kreed and in general, they want to be around each other.

They don’t need words to convey what a comfort it is to find your tribe. They just know. And it’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.

friends playing on the trampoline

 

So when we say these kids have no limits, we mean it in every possible way. From communication, to cognitive ability to friendship and love. I don’t care that’s its taken 17 years for Kreed to find a friend because this friendship was worth the wait. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two.

And I thank them both for restoring hope and love back into the human race.

Editor’s note: It is with a heavy heart we share the news that Kreed passed away on May 8, 2016. Our hearts are with his family, and we’re so grateful to help keep his memory alive on our site. He was truly one of the mighty.

Originally published: March 25, 2015
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