The world recently ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ when a photo of Santa Claus posing with a sleeping tot went viral, and a similar photo has garnered similar attention this week – but for very different reasons.
A photo of a little boy sleeping on a dozing Santa’s lap after a seizure has captured the attention of internet users all over the world this week.
Two-year-old Ryland Wade has epilepsy and suffered a seizure just before getting to meet Father Christmas. Rather than calling off the visit, Ryland’s parents asked Santa to pose for a photo with their precious tot – and he obliged by ‘falling asleep’ and cuddling up to Ryland.
As you can imagine, the story has been touching hearts ever since it was shared with local news stations in Ohio, and Ryland’s mother Samantha gave a little more insight into their daily struggles.
Samantha explained that, having suffered a lack of oxygen at birth, Ryland was diagnosed with epilepsy and spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy. On most days, the little boy is non-verbal and visually impaired, and he regularly suffers with seizures.
As you can imagine then, it meant a whole lot to the Wade family to get this special photo with Santa Claus.
“We’re not going to stay cooped up in the house when there’s so much we could be letting him experience. It’s our job as parents to get him out there and see the world, while knowing his limits and keeping him safe,” she said.
Well, they are doing an amazing job.
