I found it only fitting to update this story and write about it again since I wrote about it for my first ever Odyssey Article. This story and video about Tucker touched my heart and always brings me to tears. Not because I feel sorry for Tucker, but because of the love I see from Tucker with his family, with the service dog he got to meet, and just with life. He does seem like a happy and healthy "normal" boy, whatever normal means and whatever characterizes you as normal like Becky brought up in the awareness video.
To summarize the first article, Tucker is an autistic boy. His mother, Becky, and father were trying to raise enough money to get Tucker a service dog. A service dog will help Tucker with his anxiety in unknown areas, will help control his mental or physical panic attacks, and will just give Tucker a friend he can always depend on. Tucker is a sweet, adorable, and bright young boy who has had to live with autism since he was 2 years old. However, Tucker fortunately doesn't let that define him or his life. He just lives every day laughing, playing, loving, and living.
Therefore, when I heard that Tucker and his family were able to raise more than enough money and were finally able to go further in the process of receiving a service dog, I was ecstatic and teared up a little. That is why I couldn't help but share it. They actually surpassed their money donation goal! How great is that. The Service Dog Institute is raising his puppy right now, and Tucker will be able to have his service dog sometime next year.
If you want to stay updated and connected to Tucker's daily life and story then please go follow his Facebook page called Tucker's Service Dog - Autism Awareness. Let this charming young boy touch your heart like he touched mine!